L'Ignorance chassée

26 February 1516

Joins the painters' guild of Florence

Having completed his apprenticeship in the studio of Andrea del Sarto, where he trained alongside Jacopo Pontormo, Giovan Battista di Jacopo becomes a member of the painters' guild of Florence on 26 February 1516. According to Vasari, the nickname “Rosso”, “the Red”, came from the color of his hair.

late 1523

Moves to Rome

In late 1523 Rosso moves to Rome, where he works until 1527. The works of Michelangelo, Raphael and other Renaissance artists make a strong impression on him and realign his artistic style.

1527

The Sack of Rome: loses his workshop and patrons

After the terrible Sack of Rome by the troops of Charles V (Sacco di Roma), Rosso, like many others, loses his workshop, his property and his patrons.

1531

Moves to France, to the court of Francis I

In 1531 Rosso moves to France, becomes court painter to Francis I and never leaves the country again; there he is known as “Maître Roux”, the Red Master. Other accounts say he had already secured his court position in 1530.

1540

Imprisoned for slander

In 1540 Rosso is imprisoned for slander and probably died there of natural causes. Vasari claimed that the artist killed himself, but there is no evidence for it.

14. November 1540

Died