Corenzio was born in
Kyparissia in the
Peloponnese. He was in the
Kingdom of Naples by age 12. The region was part of the
Spanish Empire. His family was part of the Greek community in Naples. His father's name was Ioannis. His father and Uncle Nikolaos were prominent members of the Spanish community. The family had a close relationship with
Don Juan de Austria. Nikolaos served in the Royal Navy. He was a professional seaman. The family was very wealthy. According to the testimony of collector Padre Resta, Corenzio was sent to learn painting by the
Don himself. A contract exists from 1574 regarding Corenzio's painting education but it was only for six months. He migrated to Venice during the 1580s. He spent five years in Venice studying under
Tintoretto. There was a prominent Greek community in Venice around that period.
San Giorgio dei Greci employed many of the Greek painters. Some of the Greek painters living in Venice were
Antonio Vassilacchi,
Thomas Bathas and
Emmanuel Tzanfournaris. By 1590, Corenzio returned to Naples and settled there for the rest of his life. He had an active workshop. Art historian
Bernardo de' Dominici extensively wrote about the painters of Napoli in his famous
Vite dei Pittori, Scultori, ed Architetti Napolitani in the later part of the 18th century. It is one of the first extensive biographies written about Corenzio. It was published in 1742.
Bernardo de' Dominici was considered the Neapolitan
Vasari.
Dominici described Corenzio as a brilliant painter who was exceptionally talented. He could paint faster than five painters combined. According to
Dominici, Corenzio painted for money rather than art. He complained that Corenzio's artwork suffered when he was paid less.
Dominici had a similar opinion regarding other prominent Italian painters.
Paolo de Matteis began collecting notes on Neopolitan artists. He died before he could publish his work.
Dominici used these notes in his writings about Corenzio. According to
Dominici, Corenzio was also very jealous and despotic towards other painters. Because of his ill-temper and bad reputation his artistic reputation was overshadowed by negative rumors. Corenzio formed an alliance with
Jusepe de Ribera and
Battistello Caracciolo. The group was called the
Cabal of Naples. For four hundred years historians have added their own versions of the story but none of the claims are grounded on solid evidence. According to legend, the three painters did not allow the employment of foreign painters in Naples.
Luigi Rodriguez was a student of Corenzio. It is rumored that his student was so good that he began to obtain his own contracts. Corenzio became very jealous and he slowly poisoned him. Some historians disagree on the date of
Luigi Rodriguez‘s death.
Guido Reni was afraid to paint in Naples around 1621 because of rumors that the
Cabal of Naples poisoned artists that tried to compete with them. Another rumor surfaced that
Guido Reni's assistant was murdered by the
Cabal of Naples and
Guido Reni was driven out of the city. Another claim that involved Corenzio and the
Cabal of Naples was the poisoning of famous painter
Domenichino, but
Dominici specifies that his relatives played a major part in his death because they wanted his money. Corenzio continued to paint all over Naples. He mainly completed many frescos in different churches in Naples. Three notable churches include
Salerno Cathedral,
Santi Severino e Sossio, and
Santissima Annunziata Maggiore, Naples. He taught fresco painting in Naples some of his students also included painters
Onofrio De Lione,
Massimo Stanzione and
Andrea di Leone. Many of Corenzio's drawings survived until today. More rumors surfaced about his death. One such story states that he fell from a scaffolding while repairing one of his frescos in the church of San Severino another rumor states he poisoned himself. He is one of the most gossiped and celebrated artists of his time. His tomb can be found at
Santi Severino e Sossio. ==Artistic career==