Bronzino

His nickname 'Bronzino' likely refers to his dark skin or reddish hair. Born Agnolo di Cosimo, he was the son of a butcher in Florence.²

NovIl Bronzino was born on November 17, 1503.¹

Apprenticed to Pontormo at 14, he maintained a lifelong collaboration. His early style so closely mirrored his master's that scholars still debate specific attributions of their shared works.²

After working on Cosimo I de' Medici's wedding decorations in 1539, he became the official court painter, spending most of his career portraying the Medici family and the Florentine elite.²

In 'Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time,' he conveyed strong eroticism under the guise of a moralizing allegory, showcasing his skill in creating sophisticated and enigmatic Mannerist compositions.²

In his portraits of Eleonora di Toledo, the minute detail of her costume is so striking that it led to a myth that she was buried in the dress, which almost takes on its own personality.²

In 1563, he became a founding member of the Florentine Accademia delle Arti del Disegno, playing a prominent role in the city's artistic activities until his death.²

In his late work 'The Martyrdom of St. Lawrence,' he utilized contorted poses traced back to Raphael and Michelangelo, whom he idolized, integrating their aesthetic into his own style.²