Pompeo Batoni (1708–1787) was an Italian painter renowned for his refined portraits and mythological scenes, embodying the grace of the Italian Rococo and the emerging Neoclassicism. Born in Lucca, Batoni moved to Rome in 1727, where he studied classical sculpture and the works of Renaissance masters, particularly Raphael. His early work reflected Baroque influences, but he soon developed a style that combined idealized beauty with meticulous realism, capturing the elegance of high society. Batoni became the portraitist of choice for European aristocrats visiting Rome on the Grand Tour. His portraits typically featured his subjects with classical artifacts or landscapes, symbolizing culture and status. His attention to detail in rendering fabrics, jewelry, and facial expressions brought his subjects to life, appealing to a clientele that included popes, royalty, and British nobility. In addition to portraits, Batoni painted religious and mythological scenes, such as *Diana and Cupid* and *Sacred Heart of Jesus*, which demonstrated his classical inspiration and sensitivity to human emotion. Batoni’s work influenced the stylistic transition to Neoclassicism, and his portraits, embodying grace and sophistication, remain celebrated as quintessential representations of 18th-century European elite. He died in Rome, leaving a lasting impact on portraiture and Neoclassical art.