Bronzino
Bronzino, born Agnolo di Cosimo, was an Italian Mannerism, or Late Renaissance, artist who lived from 1503 to 1572. Bronzino is known for his portraits of the Medici court, though he also created religious themed works. He likely received the name “Bronzino” (little Bronze) due to either his darker skin color or his reddish hair.
Bronzino was born in Florence. He first started his art apprenticeship at age 11 and studied art under Raffaellino del Garbo. By age 14, he was studying under Jacopo Pontormo who is remembered as being one of the most famous artists from the first generation of the Mannerism school. Bronzino would continue to work as a collaborator with Pontormo for the rest of Pontormo’s life. Pontormo was Bronzino’s main stylistic influence for working in the Mannerist Florentine style.
In 1537, Bronzino joined the Florentine Academy. In 1539, Bronzino did his first commissioned work for the Medici family. He soon became the court painter for Cosimo I de’ Medici and his wife, Eleanor and would retain this position for most of his life. Bronzino generally painted his subjects as slightly more elongated figures with calm and unemotional facial expressions. His stylish portraits with their extreme attention to detail to the dress and jewelry of the sitters influenced court portraiture for over a century. In addition to portraits, Bronzino also created religious pieces. He has worked on frescoes for various churches within Florence, including the Chapel of Eleanor di Toledo and the Capponi Chapel in the church of Santa Felicita.
Bronzino was expelled from the Academy in 1547 for unknown reasons. So, in 1563, he was one of the co-founders of the newly formed Florentine Accademia delle Arti del Disegno, along with his patron, Cosimo Medici. Bronzino was in good company as other prestigious artists joined, including Michelangelo and Giambologna, amongst others. Bronzino died in 1572 at 69 years old after suffering from an unknown illness.
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