Background
His father was described as a rigattiere (or ragpicker) by Crespi, but as a seller of used furniture by other sources.
His father was described as a rigattiere (or ragpicker) by Crespi, but as a seller of used furniture by other sources.
Cesare studied under Lorenzo Pasinelli and then under Giovanni Gioseffo dal Sole.
He was tall, and born with a cleft lip. In Bologna, he received encouragement from Felice Torelli. He worked the marchese Spada in Montiano, along with Gaetano Bertuzzi.
He also painted the main altarpiece depicting San Colombano, for the Oratory of the Resurrection associated with the Church of San Colombano. he was soon to join the oratory.
He traveled to Turin for three years, where he painted for the Conte Galeano de Barbaresco. Returning to Bologna, he painted for the Senator Calderini and the Principe Ercolani.
He worked in Vinegia, Faenza, in the Palazzo Leonida Spada near Ravenna, and Rome. He was never highly successful in gaining major commissions.
His last work was a Street Peter in Chains for the church of Giovanni in Monte.
He died of an illness with jaundice and was buried in the church of San Colombano, Bologna.
He became a member of the Clementine Academy of Fine Arts.
