Ridolfo Ghirlandajo
Encyclopedia
Ridolfo Ghirlandaio (14 February 1483 – 6 June 1561) was an Italian
painter of the Renaissance
, active mainly in Florence
, the son of Domenico Ghirlandaio
.
, a painter of moderate talents. Vasari states that Ridolfo trained under Fra Bartolomeo.
His works between the dates 1504 and 1508 show a marked influence from Fra Bartolomeo and Raphael
, with whom he was friends. From Rome in 1508, Raphael asked Ridolfo to join him; but the Florentine painter stayed. In Florence, he became one of the prominent painters of altarpieces, frescoes, and portraits.
He was prominent in the execution of vast scenic canvases for various public occasions, such as the wedding of Giuliano de' Medici, and the entry of Leo X
into Florence in 1515. In his prime he was honest and conscientious as an artist; but from about 1527 he declined, having already accumulated a handsome property, more than sufficient for maintaining in affluence his large family of fifteen children, and his works became comparatively mannered and repetitive. His sons traded in France and in Ferrara
; he himself took a part in commercial affairs, and began paying some attention to mosaic
work, but it seems that, after completing one mosaic, the Annunciation over the door of the Annunziata Basilica
, patience failed him for continuing such minute labours. In his old age Ridolfo was greatly disabled by gout
. He appears to have been of a kindly, easy-going character, much regarded by his friends and patrons.
Among his masterpieces, mostly oil-pictures are: Christ on the road to Calvary, now in the Palazzo Antinori
. An Annunciation in the Abbey of Montoliveto near Florence, Leonardesque in style. In 1504, he completed the Coronation of the Virgin. He painted a Nativity
and a predella in the oratory of the Bigallo, Florence, five panels, representing the Nativity and other subjects. In 1514, on the ceiling of the chapel of St Bernard in the Palazzo Pubblico, Florence, a fresco of the Trinity, with heads of the twelve apostles and other accessories, and the Annunciation; also an Assumption of the Virgin, who bestows her girdle on St Thomas, in the choir loft of Prato cathedral
.
Towards the same date, a picture showing his highest skill, replete with expression, vigorous life, and firm accomplished pictorial method, St. Zenobius Resuscitating a Child and a Translation of the remains of Saint Zenobius. The Virgin and various saints, at San Pietro Maggiore of Pistoia
. In 1521, the Pietà, at S. Agostino, Colle di Val d'Elsa
, life-sized. Towards 1526, the Assumption, containing the painters, own portrait. An excellent portrait of Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici in youth. In 1543, a series of frescoes in the monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli. In the National Gallery, London
, is The Procession to Calvary. His Portrait of a Man with a Pink is in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery
. A great number of altar-pieces were executed by Ghirlandaio, with the assistance of his favorite pupil, Michele Tosini
(who due to his mentor acquired the name Michele di Ridolfo). Other of his pupils were Mariano da Pescia and Carlo Portelli da Loro.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
painter of the Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
, active mainly in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, the son of Domenico Ghirlandaio
Domenico Ghirlandaio
Domenico Ghirlandaio was an Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. Among his many apprentices was Michelangelo.-Early years:Ghirlandaio's full name is given as Domenico di Tommaso di Currado di Doffo Bigordi...
.
Biography
He was born in Florence. Being less than eleven years old when his father died, was brought up by his uncle Davide GhirlandaioDavide Ghirlandaio
Davide Ghirlandaio , also known as David Ghirlandaio and as Davide Bigordi, was an Italian painter and mosaicist, active in his native Florence....
, a painter of moderate talents. Vasari states that Ridolfo trained under Fra Bartolomeo.
His works between the dates 1504 and 1508 show a marked influence from Fra Bartolomeo and Raphael
Raphael
Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino , better known simply as Raphael, was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. His work is admired for its clarity of form and ease of composition and for its visual achievement of the Neoplatonic ideal of human grandeur...
, with whom he was friends. From Rome in 1508, Raphael asked Ridolfo to join him; but the Florentine painter stayed. In Florence, he became one of the prominent painters of altarpieces, frescoes, and portraits.
He was prominent in the execution of vast scenic canvases for various public occasions, such as the wedding of Giuliano de' Medici, and the entry of Leo X
Pope Leo X
Pope Leo X , born Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici, was the Pope from 1513 to his death in 1521. He was the last non-priest to be elected Pope. He is known for granting indulgences for those who donated to reconstruct St. Peter's Basilica and his challenging of Martin Luther's 95 Theses...
into Florence in 1515. In his prime he was honest and conscientious as an artist; but from about 1527 he declined, having already accumulated a handsome property, more than sufficient for maintaining in affluence his large family of fifteen children, and his works became comparatively mannered and repetitive. His sons traded in France and in Ferrara
Ferrara
Ferrara is a city and comune in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital city of the Province of Ferrara. It is situated 50 km north-northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream of the Po River, located 5 km north...
; he himself took a part in commercial affairs, and began paying some attention to mosaic
Mosaic
Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. It may be a technique of decorative art, an aspect of interior decoration, or of cultural and spiritual significance as in a cathedral...
work, but it seems that, after completing one mosaic, the Annunciation over the door of the Annunziata Basilica
Basilica della Santissima Annunziata di Firenze
The Basilica della Santissima Annunziata is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Florence, Italy, the mother church of the Servite order. It is located at the northeastern side of the Piazza Santissima Annunziata....
, patience failed him for continuing such minute labours. In his old age Ridolfo was greatly disabled by gout
Gout
Gout is a medical condition usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis—a red, tender, hot, swollen joint. The metatarsal-phalangeal joint at the base of the big toe is the most commonly affected . However, it may also present as tophi, kidney stones, or urate...
. He appears to have been of a kindly, easy-going character, much regarded by his friends and patrons.
Among his masterpieces, mostly oil-pictures are: Christ on the road to Calvary, now in the Palazzo Antinori
Palazzo Antinori
Palazzo Antinori is a Renaissance palace in Florence, central Italy. It is located at one end of Via de' Tornabuoni-History:The palace was built in 1461-1469, perhaps under the design of Giuliano da Maiano, for Giovanni di Bono Boni...
. An Annunciation in the Abbey of Montoliveto near Florence, Leonardesque in style. In 1504, he completed the Coronation of the Virgin. He painted a Nativity
Nativity of Jesus in art
The Nativity of Jesus has been a major subject of Christian art since the 4th century. The artistic depictions of the Nativity or birth of Jesus, celebrated at Christmas, are based on the narratives in the Bible, in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and further elaborated by written, oral and...
and a predella in the oratory of the Bigallo, Florence, five panels, representing the Nativity and other subjects. In 1514, on the ceiling of the chapel of St Bernard in the Palazzo Pubblico, Florence, a fresco of the Trinity, with heads of the twelve apostles and other accessories, and the Annunciation; also an Assumption of the Virgin, who bestows her girdle on St Thomas, in the choir loft of Prato cathedral
Prato Cathedral
The Cathedral of Prato is the main Catholic church of Prato, Tuscany, Central Italy and seat of the bishop. It is dedicated to St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. It is one of the most ancient churches in the city, existing already in the 10th century and having been built and in several...
.
Towards the same date, a picture showing his highest skill, replete with expression, vigorous life, and firm accomplished pictorial method, St. Zenobius Resuscitating a Child and a Translation of the remains of Saint Zenobius. The Virgin and various saints, at San Pietro Maggiore of Pistoia
Pistoia
Pistoia is a city and comune in the Tuscany region of Italy, the capital of a province of the same name, located about 30 km west and north of Florence and is crossed by the Ombrone Pistoiese, a tributary of the River Arno.-History:...
. In 1521, the Pietà, at S. Agostino, Colle di Val d'Elsa
Colle di Val d'Elsa
Colle di Val d'Elsa or Colle Val d'Elsa is a town and comune in Tuscany, Italy, in the province of Siena.It has a population of c. 20,000...
, life-sized. Towards 1526, the Assumption, containing the painters, own portrait. An excellent portrait of Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici in youth. In 1543, a series of frescoes in the monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli. In the National Gallery, London
National Gallery, London
The National Gallery is an art museum on Trafalgar Square, London, United Kingdom. Founded in 1824, it houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. The gallery is an exempt charity, and a non-departmental public body of the Department for Culture, Media...
, is The Procession to Calvary. His Portrait of a Man with a Pink is in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery
Dunedin Public Art Gallery
The Dunedin Public Art Gallery holds the main public art collection of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. Located in The Octagon in the heart of the city, it is close to the city's public library, municipal chambers, and other facilities such as the Regent Theatre.-History:The gallery was founded by...
. A great number of altar-pieces were executed by Ghirlandaio, with the assistance of his favorite pupil, Michele Tosini
Michele Tosini
Michele Tosini was an Italian painter of the Renaissance and Mannerist period, who worked in Florence.He apprenticed initially with Lorenzo di Credi and Antonio del Ceraiolo, but then moved into the studio of Ridolfo Ghirlandaio, from whom he acquired the name Michele di Ridolfi or Michele...
(who due to his mentor acquired the name Michele di Ridolfo). Other of his pupils were Mariano da Pescia and Carlo Portelli da Loro.