Agnolo Bronzino

Agnolo Bronzino, an Italian painter born on November 17, 1503, in Florence, was a prominent figure of the Mannerist movement. He was a pupil of Jacopo Pontormo, whose influence is evident in Bronzino's sophisticated compositions and refined style. Bronzino became the court painter for Cosimo I de' Medici, producing portraits that exemplified the elegance and idealization characteristic of Mannerism. His work, including the renowned "Portrait of Eleonora of Toledo with her Son Giovanni," is noted for its meticulous attention to detail and cool, detached realism. Bronzino's contributions significantly shaped the portraiture of the Italian Renaissance, and his influence extended to later generations of artists. He died on November 23, 1572, in Florence, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be studied for its technical precision and stylistic innovation.