Luca Cambiaso established himself as the leading artist in Genoa in the 16th century. He is considered the founder of the Genoese school which established the local tradition of historical fresco painting in Genoese churches and palaces. In 1583 he was invited by Philip II of Spain to work in Segovia, decorating the newly built Monastery of Saint Lawrence, today known as The Escorial. In the Escorial he executed a Paradise on the vault of the church, for which he received 2,000 ducats, probably the largest sum that had, up to that time, ever been given for a single work of art.

Provenance: Estate of Eric Robinson, Edinburgh.