Francesco Primaticcio Biography
Francesco Primaticcio, also known as Bologna, was born on 30 April 1504 in the city of Bologna. He was a talented Italian painter, architect and decorator, influenced by Giulio Romano, his teacher, and by the early works of Parmigianino. In the period between 1526 and 1530 he collaborated with the Roman in the decoration of Palazzo Te in Mantua. In 1532 Francis I of France invited him to the castle of Fontainebleau, where he was involved in carrying out the decoration works together with Rosso Fiorentino. After the death of the latter, in 1540, Primaticcio succeeded him in the position of "superintendent" of the castle. With the help of a team of collaborators, he created frescoes, statues and stuccos for the entire castle, but unfortunately much of his work was destroyed or damaged by subsequent restorations and interventions. He worked for four sovereigns: Francis I, Henry II, Francis II and Charles IX, giving his contribution to the decoration of numerous royal residences and French churches. Francesco Primaticcio died in Paris in 1570.
