Carducci (or Carducho), Bartolommeo (or Bartolomé) (1560–1610) and Vincenzo (or Vicente) (1568–1638)

Two painter brothers of Italian origin who settled in Spain. Becoming painters to the Spanish court, they helped to bring the Italian High Renaissance style to Spain.

Bartolommeo Carducci studied architecture and sculpture with Bartolommeo Ammanati and painting with Federico Zuccaro, helping the latter to paint the cupola of Florence Cathedral. He accompanied Zuccaro to Spain 1585 and settled there, becoming painter to Philip II and Philip III. With Pellegrino Tibaldi, he painted much in the Escorial. He also began a series of frescoes, finished by his brother Vincenzo. A principal work of Bartolommeo is The Descent from the Cross (San Felipe el Real, Madrid).

Vincenzo Carducci was trained by Zuccaro and his brother, whom he accompanied to Spain. His religious works include a series of 50 frescoes for the Carthusians of El Paular, representing scenes from the life of St Bruno and martyrdoms and miracles of monks of the order. His book in Castilian, Diálogos de las excelencias de la pintura, is a defence of Michelangelo, which gives some account of contemporary Italian and Spanish artists.