Print of steel engraving titled „S. Famiglia“.

Artist School of Andrea del Sarto.

Drawn by A. Villa.

Engraved by School of Viviani (Scuola Viviani).

From “Galerie du Palais Pitti“, Chez Louis Bardi, Florence, 1843. Vol. IV. Tav. 104.

Andrea del Sarto ( 1486–1530) was an Italian painter from Florence, whose career flourished during the High Renaissance and early Mannerism. Though highly regarded during his lifetime as an artist senza errori ("without errors"), his renown was eclipsed after his death by that of his contemporaries, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. It was Michelangelo who had introduced Vasari in 1524 to Andrea's studio. He is said to have thought very highly of Andrea's talents. Of those who initially followed his style in Florence, the most prominent would have been Jacopo Pontormo, but also Francesco Salviati and Jacopino del Conte. Other lesser known assistants and pupils include Bernardo del Buda, Lamberto Lombardi, Nannuccio Fiorentino, and Andrea Squazzella. Vasari, however, was highly critical of his teacher, alleging that, though having all the prerequisites of a great artist, he lacked ambition and that divine fire of inspiration which animated the works of his more famous contemporaries, like Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

Approx. image size: 16, 7 x 12, 6/47, 2 x 32, 2 cm. Condition: good.