Biography of Domenico Ghirlandaio 1448-1494

Domenico Ghirlandaio 1448-1494 is in Painters.

On 02 Jun 1448 Domenico Ghirlandaio was born in Florence, Italy.

Around 1475 Domenico Ghirlandaio (age 26). Portrait of Lucrezia Tornabuoni (age 47).

Lucrezia Tornabuoni: On 22 Jun 1427 she was born to Francesco di Simone Tornabuoni in Florence, Italy. On 03 Jun 1444 Piero di Cosimo de Medici and she were married. On 04 Jun 1469 Lorenzo de Medici and Clarice Orsini were married. The marriage had been arranged by his mother Lucrezia Tornabuoni. Her dowry was 6000 florins. On 25 Mar 1482 she died.

In 1488 Domenico Ghirlandaio (age 39). Portrait of Giovanna degli Albizzi (age 19) commissioned around the time of her death by her husband Lorenzo Tornabuoni (age 23). The figure is wearing precious clothes including a gamurra vest. On the right, behind her, are a hanging coral necklace (perhaps a rosary), a partly closed prayer book, and a Latin inscription, taken from an epigram by the 1st century AD poet Martial. She also holds a handkerchief. The figure of Giovanna is idealized in appearance and proportion which was the tradition of the time.

Many aspects of this portrait hold symbolic significance in emphasizing her wealth, status, and piety. Giovanna's fine clothing indicates her status and the wealth of her family.

The Tornabuoni emblem is present on her clothes, as well as two "Ls" on her shoulder, referring to her husband, Lorenzo.

In addition to the clothes, the presence of pearls and brooches also emphasizes the family's wealth.

The pendant featured in the portrait shows a small diamond set in gold above a large ruby with three pearls hanging beneath it. This was a signature ornament found in depictions of Giovanna and came from Lodovica's dowry.

The coral beads seen in the background are likely a rosary, signifying Giovanna's religious piety.

The book seen behind Giovanna, possibly a prayer book, also refers to her piety and educated status.

A significant aspect of the background in this portrait is the cartellino behind Giovanna. The inscription is a modified excerpt of a poem by the author Martial: "ARS VTINAM MORES ANIMVM QVU EFFINGERE POSSES PVCHRIOR IN TERRIS NVLLA TABELLA FORET MCCCCLXXXVIII". This translates to "Art, would that you could represent character and mind! There would be no more beautiful painting on earth 1488".

Giovanna degli Albizzi: On 18 Dec 1468 she was born. Before 1488 Lorenzo Tornabuoni and she were married. In 1488 Giovanna degli Albizzi died in childbirth.

Lorenzo Tornabuoni: In 1465 he was born to Giovanni Tornabuoni. On 21 Aug 1497 Lorenzo Tornabuoni was beheaded for scheming with France against Florence.

Before 11 Jan 1494 Domenico Ghirlandaio (age 45). Portrait of Clarice Orsini.

Clarice Orsini: In 1450 she was born to Giacomo Orsini. On 30 Jul 1488 she died.

On 11 Jan 1494 Domenico Ghirlandaio (age 45) died.