Lewis, Augustine, and Hannibal, three celebrated painters of the Lombard school, all of Bologna. Lewis was born in 1555; and was cousin-german to Augustine and Hannibal, who were brothers, the sons of a tailor, who was yet careful to give them a liberal education. They were both disciples of Caracci, their cousin Lewis. Augustine gained a knowledge of mathematics, natural philosophy, music, poetry, and most of the liberal arts; but, though painting was his principal pursuit, he learned the art of engraving from Cornelius Cort, and surpassed all the masters of his time. Hannibal, again, never deviated from his pencil. These three painters, at length, having reaped all the advantages they could by contemplation and practice, formed a plan of association, continued always together, and laid the foundation of that celebrated school which has ever since been known by the name of Caracci's academy. Hither all the young students, who had a view of becoming masters, referred to be instructed in the rudiments of painting; and here the Caracci taught freely, and without reserve, all that came. Lewis's charge was to make a collection of antique statues and bas-reliefs. They had designs of the best masters, and a collection of curious books on all subjects relating to their art; and they had a skilful anatomist always ready to teach what belonged to the knitting and motions of the muscles, &c. There were often disputations in the academy; and not only painters, but men of learned professions, proposed questions, which were always decided by Lewis. Every body was well received; and though stated hours were allotted to treat of different matters, yet improvements might be made at all hours by the antiquities and the designs which were to be seen.

The fame of the Caracci reaching Rome, the cardinal Farnese sent for Hannibal thither, to paint the gallery of his palace. Hannibal was the more willing to go, because he had a great desire to see Raphael's works, with the antique statues and bas-reliefs. The gusto which he took there from the ancient sculpture, made him change his Bolognian manner for one more learned but less natural in the design and in the colouring.—Augustine followed Hannibal, to assist him in his undertaking of the Farnese gallery; but the brothers not rightly agreeing, Farnese sent Augustine to the court of the duke of Parma, where he died in the year 1602, being only 45 years of age. His most celebrated piece of painting is that of the Communion of St Jerome, in Bologna.

In the mean while, Hannibal continued working in the Farnese gallery at Rome; and, after inconceivable pains and care, finished the paintings in the perfection in which they are now to be seen. He hoped that the cardinal would have rewarded him in some proportion to the excellence of his work, and the time it took him up, which was eight years; but he was disappointed. The cardinal, influenced by an ignorant Spaniard, his domestic, gave him but a little above 200l. though it is certain he deserved more than twice as many thousands. When the money was brought him, he was so surprized at the injustice done him, that he could not speak a word to the person who brought it. This confirmed him in a melancholy to which his temper naturally inclined, and made him resolve never more to touch his pencil; which resolution he had undoubtedly kept if his necessities had not compelled him to break it. It is said, that his melancholy gained too much upon him, that at certain times it deprived him of the use of his senses. It did not, however, put a stop to his amours; and his debauches at Naples, whither he had retired for the the recovery of his health, brought a distemper upon him of which he died in 1609, when he was 49 years of age. His veneration for Raphael was so great, that it was his deathbed request to be buried in the same tomb with him; which was accordingly done, in the Pantheon or Rotunda at Rome. There are extant several prints of the blest Virgin, and some other subjects, etched by the hand of this incomparable artist. He is said to have been a friendly, plain, honest, and open-hearted man; very communicative to his scholars, and so extremely kind to them, that he generally kept his money in the same box with his colours, where they might have recourse to either as they had occasion.

While Hannibal Caracci worked at Rome, Lewis was courted from all parts of Lombardy, especially by the clergy, to make pictures in their churches: and we may judge of his capacity and facility, by the great number of pictures he made, and by the preference that was given him to other painters. In the midst of these employments Hannibal solicited him to come and assist him in the Farnese gallery; and so earnestly, that he could not avoid complying with his request. He went to Rome; corrected several things in that gallery; painted a figure or two himself; and then returned to Bologna, where he died in 1619, aged 64.