was an Italian painter from Genoa, born into the privileged household of Pellegro Paggi, a wealthy merchant. Trained under local masters, Paggi’s early talent was shaped by Genoa’s vibrant cultural life. However, in 1579, following a fatal altercation with a patron over payment, he was banished from the city--a turning point that led him on a rich artistic journey through Italy.

During his exile, Paggi worked in Venice, Rome, Florence, and Pisa, absorbing diverse regional styles. In Florence, he painted a fresco in the Great Cloister of Santa Maria Novella, portraying a miracle by Saint Catherine of Siena. There, he studied the works of Michelangelo and Raphael, refining a style that blended Renaissance clarity with early Baroque drama.

Paggi’s works are known for their emotional depth, strong composition, and vivid characterizations. His subjects were often religious or historical, as seen in “The Madonna and Child with Saints, “The Annunciation," and the frescoes of Palazzo Spinola in Genoa. He likely received commissions from important figures, including Isabella Appiani, Princess of Piombino.

Eventually pardoned and welcomed back to Genoa--thanks in part to his ties with the Doria family--Paggi became a leading figure in the city’s art scene. He established a respected academy, mentoring a generation of Genoese artists. He died in 1627, remembered not only for his refined and expressive style but also for his pivotal role in shaping Genoese art.