Sebastian, called Cavalier, a celebrated history and portrait painter, was born at Gaeta in 1679, and placed as a disciple with Francesco Solimena, an incomparable master. Under his direction Conca exerted his utmost industry to obtain a proper knowledge of the true principles of the art of painting; nor did he permit any kind of amusement to withdraw his attention from his studies. Solimena soon perceived in his disciple such talents, and such a disposition, as would qualify him to make a very great progress; and on that account he conceived so strong an affection for him, that he not only afforded him the best instructions, but often employed him to sketch after his own designs; took him along with him to Monte Cassino, where he was to paint a chapel in fresco; and there made Conca acquainted with everything relative to that manner of painting. At his return to Naples with Solimena, he was, if possible, still more assiduous to improve himself to the utmost; and entered on a project that might at once advance his income, and add to his expertise in his profession. That project was, to paint portraits in a small size and at a low rate; by which scheme all ranks of persons crowded to him; and beside the pecuniary advantages resulting from it, he acquired an extraordinary freedom of hand in penciling and colouring; a good habit of imitating nature with an elegant choice; and likewise great diversity of airs of heads, which were of extraordinary use to him in his future beautiful compositions. As he had a great desire to see Rome, he obtained permission from Solimena to indulge his inclination; and although he was near thirty years of age when he visited that city, yet he spent eight years in constant study after the antiques, after Buonaroti, Raphael, and the Carracci, and perfected himself in every part of his profession. The fame of his works soon spread throughout Rome, and procured him the patronage of Cardinal Ottobuoni, who was a princely encourager of artists; and Conca having shown an elegant proof of his abilities in a composition representing Herod inquiring of the wife men the place of the birth of the Messiah, the figures being as large as life, the Cardinal thought it so excellent a performance, that he rewarded him in a munificent manner, entertained him in his own palace, and introduced him to Pope Clement XI. who appointed Conca to paint the picture of the prophet Jeremiah in the church of St John Lateran; which he executed with universal applause. On that occasion the pope was desirous of giving him some particular mark of his esteem; and therefore, in a general assembly of the academicians of St Luke, he conferred on him the order of knighthood, and the cardinal presented him with a rich diamond cross, which Conca, out of respect to his patron, always wore at his bosom. From that time he was incessantly employed, and his works were solicited by most of the princes of Europe. The churches and chapels of every part of Italy are enriched with some of his compositions; of which he painted an incredible number, as he lived to a very advanced age, and never discontinued his labours. He was earnestly invited by Philip V. of Spain to visit his court, but he could not be prevailed on to leave Rome. He painted two admirable pieces for the king of Poland, with figures as large as life; in one was represented Alexander presenting Bucephalus to Philip, after he had managed him; a grand composition, with a multitude of figures, correctly designed, and charmingly grouped and disposed; the whole being adorned with most elegant architecture, in true and beautiful perspective. The other was the marriage of Alexander with Roxana, the daughter of Darius, which was in every respect equal to the former. He was at last so strongly pressed to go to Naples, that he undertook the journey; and was received in that kingdom with all the respect and honour due to his merit; and there he finished several noble designs, as also at Gaeta his native city. While he continued at Naples, he received in the royal presence a snuff-box of very great value, presented presented to him in the king's name by the marquis of Tanucci, at that time prime minister; and in the year 1757, the king was pleased to ennoble him and all his descendants. At that time he was 78, and it is confidently said, that he died in 1761, aged 82, which is very probable, though not positively certain. He understood perspective and architecture thoroughly, and added to it a fine understanding of the chiaroscuro. His style of composition is grand and elegant; his design very correct; his disposition ingenious; his attitudes and expression full of truth, nature, and variety; and his colouring is excellent. The history of Diana and Actaeon, by Conca, is in the possession of the earl of Pembroke at Wilton.