Man's Head from the Back

17 November 1503

Born

c. 1515

From Raffaellino del Garbo's pupil to Pontormo's workshop

The son of a butcher in a family of modest means, Bronzino first studies under Raffaellino del Garbo and around 1515 (by other accounts, at fourteen) begins working in the workshop of Jacopo Pontormo. Pontormo is thought to have painted the boy Bronzino, seated on a step, into one of his scenes from the story of Joseph in Egypt, now in the National Gallery, London.

1533

Moving from Urbino to Florence, to the Medici court

In 1533 Bronzino moves from Urbino to Florence, to the Medici court as a court painter, and joins the close circle of intellectuals, writers and artists that Cosimo I de' Medici gathered around himself.

1539

Decorations for the wedding of Cosimo I and Eleonora of Toledo

In 1539, on the occasion of Cosimo I de' Medici's marriage to Eleonora of Toledo, Bronzino designs the decorations for the duchess's ceremonial entry into Florence; like his other theatrical and festive works for the Medici, they have not survived. That same year he receives the most lucrative commission of his career, for the decoration of the Palazzo Vecchio.

1561

Founding the Accademia del Disegno in Florence

In 1561 Bronzino, together with Giorgio Vasari and Bartolomeo Ammannati, takes part in founding the Accademia del Disegno under the patronage of Cosimo I — the first art academy of modern Europe. By other accounts he became one of its founding members in 1563.

23 November 1572

Died