Ghirlandaio

Domenico Ghirlandaio was born in 1449 he painted a large number of frescos in various Florentine churches. He also painted his 'vocation of Peter and Andrew' on the right wall of the Sistine Chapel. He was apprenticed to a goldsmith and then to Alessio Baldovinetti to study painting.

The artist was very skilled in the art of fresco painting and it was in his workshop that the young Michelangelo was taught the technique of painting and draughmanship. He depicted sacred scenes in a pleasant manner as if they had just happened among the rich and famous of Florentine society.

These works mirrored the life of the period and also pleased his Medici patrons.

He painted a life-size Last Supper in the refectory of the Church of Ognissanti in Florence and also Saint Jerome in His Study both in 1480.

Saint Jerome in his Study, 1480.
Church of Ognissanti, Florence. (w)

The banker Francesco Sassetti commissioned Ghirlandaio to paint frescos in the Sassetti chapel in the church of Santa Trinita in Florence. This is considered to be the artists masterwork.

The theme is the life of St Francis.

The Confirmation of the Franciscan Rule.
(w) This picture comtains several of the artists patrons, and includes:- On the right, in the foreground, are Sassetti's brother-in-law, the Gonfaloniere di Giustizia Antonio Pucci; Sassetti's employer, Lorenzo de' Medici; Francesco Sassetti himself and his son Federico.

The Stigmata of St. Francis. (w)

The Death of St. Francis. (w)

The Adoration of the Shepherds. (w)
This is the alterpiece and is one of the artists greatest works, it is also my personal favourate. The shepheard on the right in the red clothing is a self-portrait of the artist.

The subject of his work was predominantly religious with portraits of the donor and his family and friends. Examples of this type of work can be seen in the church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence.

The Expulsion of Joachim from the Temple. (w)

Nativity of Mary. (w)

Ghirlandaio died (probably of a fever) on January 11th 1494. He is buried in Santa Maria Novella.

Ghirlandaio to Michelangelo
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