Sebastiano del Piombo

Born in Venice, he trained under Giovanni Bellini and Giorgione. Uniquely, he first achieved success as a lutenist and singer before turning to painting later in his youth.¹

Following the early death of his mentor Giorgione in 1510, he is credited with completing unfinished works, including the famous 'The Three Philosophers.'¹

In 1511, he moved to Rome at the invitation of the banker Agostino Chigi. He remained based in Rome for the rest of his life, thoroughly adopting the city's monumental artistic style.¹

His first Roman commission was decorating Agostino Chigi's Villa Farnesina, where he painted frescoes in the same space as Raphael, marking the start of their rivalry.¹

He befriended Michelangelo, who used him as a 'deputy' to compete against Raphael. Michelangelo provided him with designs and drawings to help him win major commissions.¹

After the sudden death of his rival Raphael in 1520, he became the leading painter in Rome, reaching the peak of his professional reputation and influence.¹

In 1531, he was appointed Keeper of the Seal to the Papacy, earning the nickname 'del Piombo' (of the lead) from the lead seals used for official documents.¹

After becoming the 'piombatore,' his productivity fell as he attended to papal duties and took holy orders, resulting in relatively few works from his later years.¹