Born in Naples, Luca Giordano was a central figure of the Neapolitan Baroque. He received his early training in the city, eventually developing a style that synthesized the influences of 16th-century Venetian masters and the decorative grandeur of Pietro da Cortona. His ability to rapidly adapt his technique earned him the nickname Luca fa presto, or "Luca paints quickly."

Giordano's work is characterized by a shift toward luminous color palettes and dramatic, fluid movement, moving away from the somber tenebrism prevalent in early 17th-century Naples. His career was marked by extensive travel, including significant periods of work in Rome, Florence, and Venice, which allowed him to refine his approach to large-scale fresco cycles in both ecclesiastical and secular settings.

His international reputation led to a decade-long tenure in Spain, where he served the royal court and executed major decorative commissions. His influence extended across Europe, cementing his status as one of the most successful and widely traveled painters of the late 17th century.