Parmigianino

Francesco Mazzola, called Parmigianino (born in Parma in 1503; died in Casalmaggiore, Parma in 1540): first works 1521/22; in 1523/24 a fresco cycle in the Rocca di Fontanellato; from 1524 in Rome, study of the works of Raphael; after the sack of Rome in 1527, moved to Bologna, where he produced paintings and preliminary drawings for prints; beginning in 1530, worked in Parma on designs for frescoes in Santa Maria della Steccata. His elegant style was widely imitated.