LAURO, PHILIPPO, a celebrated painter, was born at Rome in 1623. He learned the first rudiments of the art from his father Balthasar, who was himself a good painter. He afterwards studied under Angelo Carosello, his brother-in-law; and proved so great a proficient, that in a short time he far surpassed his tutor in design, colouring, and elegance of taste. He applied himself to painting historical subjects in a small size, enriching the back grounds with lively landscapes, that afforded the eye and the judgement equal entertainment; but though his small paintings are best approved, he finished several grand compositions for altar pieces that were highly esteemed. He died in 1694; and his works are eagerly bought up at high prices all over Europe.