Pontormo: The Perfectionist of the First Florentine Manner
Jacopo Carucci, better known as Pontormo (1494–1557), was an early figure in Mannerism, hailing from Pontorme and working primarily in Florence. He apprenticed with Andrea del Sarto, adopting elements of his style while also embracing a more archaic compositional method influenced by the likes of Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo. At the age of 19, he secured his inaugural fresco project for the Servite friars at Santissima Annunziata. He also created works for the Medici family, including Pope Leo X, and adorned the villa at Poggio a Caiano (1519–1520). Amid the 1522 plague, he produced pieces that signified a departure from Renaissance ideals, including frescoes at Certosa del Galluzzo (1522–1525) and decorated Cappella Capponi (1527–1528), earning accolades from Michelangelo. Vasari characterized him as modest, frugal, and a perfectionist.
Key facts
- Pontormo was born Jacopo Carucci in Pontorme on 24 May 1494 and died in Florence in early 1557.
- He was a precursor to Mannerism and part of the first Florentine manner.
- He studied under Andrea del Sarto and was influenced by Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo.
- His first fresco commission was for the Servite friars at Santissima Annunziata, painting Faith and Charity.
- Michelangelo praised him: 'This young man will be such that if he lives and continues, he will place this art in heaven.'
- In 1519–1520, he decorated the Medici villa at Poggio a Caiano with frescoes of Vertumnus, Pomona, and Diana.
- During the 1522 plague, he painted the Passion of Christ at the Certosa del Galluzzo, inspired by Dürer.
- He decorated the Cappella Capponi in Santa Felicita with Bronzino (1527–1528), including the Deposition altarpiece.
- He translated a Michelangelo cartoon for Alfonso Davalo, earning Michelangelo's approval.
- He created tapestries for Palazzo Vecchio and decorations for the choir of San Lorenzo, now lost.
- Vasari described him as frugal, modest, shy, perfectionist, and obsessive.
Entities
Artists
- Jacopo Carucci (Pontormo)
- Andrea del Sarto
- Rosso Fiorentino
- Michelangelo Buonarroti
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Raffaello Sanzio
- Albrecht Dürer
- Bronzino
- Giorgio Vasari
- Alfonso Davalo
Institutions
- Servite friars
- Medici family
- Pope Leo X
- Ottaviano de' Medici
- Pope Clement VII
- Cosimo de' Medici
- Palazzo Vecchio
- San Lorenzo
Locations
- Pontorme
- Florence
- Italy
- Santissima Annunziata
- Poggio a Caiano
- Certosa del Galluzzo
- Cappella Capponi
- Santa Felicita
- Careggi
- Castello