CASSANA, NICOLO, called NICOLETTO, an eminent Italian painter, was born at Venice in 1659, and became a disciple of his father Giovanni Francesco Cassana, a Genoese, who had been taught the art of painting by Bernardino Strozzi. He soon distinguished himself, not only by the beauty of his colouring, but by the gracefulness of his figures in historical compositions, as well as in portrait. The most eminent personages solicited him to enrich their cabinets with some of his performances; and were more particularly desirous to obtain their portraits, because in that branch he excelled beyond competition. The grand duke of Tuscany, who was an excellent judge of merit in all professions, and as liberal an encourager of it, invited Nicoletto to his court; and he there painted the portraits of that prince and the Princess Violante his consort. These performances procured him uncommon applause, as well as a noble gratuity, and he was employed and caressed by the principal nobility of Florence. Beside several historical subjects painted by this master while he resided in that city, one was a very capital design. The subject of it was the Conspiracy of Catiline; it consisted of nine figures as large as life, down to the knees; and the two principal figures were represented as with one hand joined in the presence of their companions, and in their other hand holding a cup of blood. Some of the English nobility on their travels sat to him for their portraits; which being sent to London, and highly admired, Nicoletto was invited to England, with strong assurances of a generous reception; and on his arrival he experienced the kindness, the respect, and the liberality, so peculiar to the natives of that kingdom. He had the honour of being introduced to the presence of Queen Anne, and to paint her portrait: in which he succeeded so happily, that the Queen distinguished him by many
marks of favour and honour; but he had not the happiness to enjoy his good fortune for any length of time, dying in London, universally regretted, in the year 1713.