Giovanni Battista Spinelli

His sister, Caterina, was married to Baron Ludovico de Pizzis of Ortona; known for his numerous feuds.

His is also known to have been an avid collector of prints from Northern Europe; including Lucas van Leyden, Hendrik Goltzius, Jacob Matham and Heinrich Aldegrever.

In recent years, his works have been studied by many art historians, including Roberto Longhi, and his reputation has been somewhat rehabilitated.

His individual canvases are difficult to date and of uneven quality; having been painted to the specifications of private clients.

According to his biographer, Bernardo De Dominici, Spinelli gave up painting for alchemy and died while conducting an experiment in 1647, at the approximate age of fifty.