CRESPI, GIOVANNI BATTISTA (1557-1663), an Italian painter, sculptor, and architect, was born at Cerano. He was a scholar of considerable attainments, and held a position of dignity in Ids native city. He was head of the 'Milanese Academy founded by Cardinal Frederick Borromeo, and he was the teacher of Guercino. He is most famous as a painter ; and, though his figures are neither natural nor graceful, his colouring is good, and his designs full of ideal beauty.