The architect, painter and art theorist Andrea Pozzo was born son of Jacobi Pozzi in Trient in 1642. In his hometown Andrea Pozzo, also known as Andrea dal Pozzo, Andrea del Pozzo, Pozzi or Puteus, was initially educated at a Jesuit school, before he decided to become an artist. Andrea del Pozzo spent his years as an apprentice with a painter from Trient and another one from Como.
Religion was another passion he had: In 1665 Andrea Pozzo joined the novitiate of the Milan Jesuits at the age of 23, his wish to become an artist was supported.
Following the novitiate Andrea Pozzo (Andrea dal Pozzo, Andrea del Pozzo) went to Genoa and Venice, the first preserved paintings by his hand were made at that time. Later the Superior General of the Societas Jesu called Andrea Pozzo to Rome where he unfolded vital artistic activity, not least through his support. In Rome Pozzo painted for high-ranking personalities, such as the pope's nephew Don Livio Odescalchi. His masterpiece, the illusionist ceiling at the church Sant' Ignazio (1691-94), also came into existence in the Eternal City. Additionally, Andrea del Pozzo was active in Genoa, Turin, Modena or Arezzo.
In 1702 emperor Leopold I. eventually called the painter and architect, who had dedicated him a tractate, to Vienna. It must have been Hans-Adam I, Prince of Liechtenstein, who informed the emperor about Andrea Pozzo's good reputation. In Austria Andrea Pozzo made works for the royal house and the Jesuit order. Next to ceilings in which Andrea Pozzo brought his talent for spatial illusionism to full bloom, he also made paintings on canvas and sketches of a highly baroque impact and great pathos. Among the students of Andrea del Pozzo Christoph Tausch is particularly worthwhile mentioning, he assisted his teacher with the ceilings at Palais Liechtenstein.
Among Andrea Pozzo's most important works of the days in Vienna we find the embellishment of the Jesuit church (1703-1707). Two years after he had completed this assignment Andrea Pozzo died of gout in 1709.