Giovanni Francesco Penni Paintings

Giovanni Francesco Penni, also known as Il Fattore, was an Italian painter of the Renaissance period, whose life and career were intricately tied with the more famous Raphael. Born in Florence around 1488 to 1496, the exact year remains uncertain. Penni was one of Raphael's closest pupils and collaborators, and his works are often reflective of Raphael's style and influence. After Raphael's death in 1520, Penni, along with Giulio Romano, another pupil of Raphael, completed many of Raphael's unfinished works.

Penni's contributions to the art world include several significant commissions that he undertook in Rome, particularly in the Vatican. His works are noted for their delicate execution and adherence to the grace and style typical of the High Renaissance. Despite his talent and contributions, Penni's individual style is sometimes hard to distinguish from that of Raphael and his other contemporaries due to the collaborative nature of many of his projects.

After Raphael's death, Penni and Giulio Romano worked closely together, and they were involved in the decoration of the Hall of Constantine in the Vatican Palace. However, details about Penni's life after this project are scarce. It is known that he left Rome and spent some time in Naples, where he was involved in a few artistic projects. Giovanni Francesco Penni died in 1528, and the exact circumstances of his death remain somewhat unclear.

While Penni may not have achieved the same level of fame as his mentor, Raphael, or his colleague, Giulio Romano, his work played a significant role in the continuation of the High Renaissance style. Today, his contributions are recognized as an integral part of the artistic movements of his time, and his works are studied for their connection to Raphael and the broader Renaissance period.