Francesco Primaticcio
Painter, born and trained in Bologna. Worked with Giulio Romano in Mantua. In 1532 he moved to France under the patronage of Francis I. Became an assistant to Rosso Fiorentino; appointed official art buyer to the king.
He settled in Fontainebleau but returned to Italy regularly on art-buying trips. After Fiorentino’s death, Primaticcio became head of the Fontainebleau school. After the death of Francis I, he worked for Henry II as Surveyor of Works.
Note the murals and high stucco reliefs. They are characterized by expression, overloaded composition, long, graceful figures with small heads.
Francesco Primaticcio’s major works are The Rape of Helen, 1530–39 (County Durham, UK: Bowes Museum); Study of God, 1555 (Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum).
References:
- Robert Cumming. Art: complete encyclopedia. – 512 p. – Moscow: Astrel, 2005.
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