About the Artist

Andrea del Sarto (1486 Florence-1531 Florence), whose real name was Andrea d'Angiolo di Francesco, was given his nickname because he was the son of a tailor (Ital.Sarto). According to Vasari, Andrea first had lessons with a goldsmith before continuing his training, probably with Piero di Cosimo. In 1508, he was accepted as a member of the guild of Medici e Speziali, to which painters also belonged. From 1511 he shared a studio with jacopo sansovino and probably also Franciabigio. In 1518 he was invited to Fontainebleau Castle by Francis (1494-1547), but returned to his native city to perform important commissions for frescoes and painted altarpieces. Together with Fra Bartolommeo, Andrea del Sarto is considered the greatest master of the Florentine High Renaissance as well as one of the pioneers of Mannerism. His works include the Birth of the Virgin, 1513/14, Chiostrino dei Voti, SS. Annunziata, Florence; Joseph in Egypt, c. 1516, Galleria Palatina, Palazzo Pitti, Florence; and Caritas, 1518, Musee du Louvre, Paris.