Giovanni da Udine (Giovanni dei Ricamatori)

Giovanni da Udine, born Giovanni Nanni in 1487 in Udine, Italy, was an Italian painter and architect associated with the High Renaissance movement. He was a prominent pupil of Raphael and contributed significantly to the decorative elements of Raphael's Vatican projects, particularly noted for his skill in stucco work and grotesque decorations. Giovanni's work was instrumental in the revival of ancient Roman decorative techniques, which he adeptly incorporated into Renaissance art. After Raphael's death in 1520, Giovanni continued to work in Rome and later in Florence, where he collaborated with other notable artists of the time. His contributions to the Loggia of Cupid and Psyche at the Villa Farnesina are among his most celebrated works. Giovanni da Udine passed away in 1564, leaving behind a legacy of intricate and innovative decorative art that influenced subsequent generations.