A Tuscan painter, born c.1626 in Padua (?). Soon after the middle of the 17th century he settled in Padua, where he died in 1689. He was called the painter of beggars (dei pitocchi, de’pitocchi) because ragamuffins, gypsies, beggars, vagabonds and poor, simple folk were his favourite motifs. Under the influence of the Roman bamboccianti he introduced these motifs to the area of the Veneto. The painter’s Tuscan origin also explain his adoption of some features of the style of Jacques Callot. Beside this, Ghidoni also depicted religious motifs and historical scenes. His works are to be found in churches in the Veneto, in public and private collections in Padua, Venice, Treviso and elsewhere.
Lit.: Rodolfo Pallucchini: La pittura veneziana del Seicento, Vol. I-II, Milano 1981 (1993); Seicento, Vol. I-II, Milano 1989 (Text: Pier Luigi Fantelli).