Bronzino, Agnolo (1503-1572)

Italian Mannerist painter. He is known for his cool, elegant portraits - Lucrezia Panciatichi (c. 1540; Uffizi, Florence) is typical - and for the allegory Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time (c. 1545; National Gallery, London).

Bronzino was born in Monticelli d'Ongino and was active in Florence. His elegant portrait style earned him the appointment of court painter to Cosimo de' Medici, 1st Grand Duke of Tuscany, who commissioned many portraits, altarpieces, and frescoes, including those for the Chapel of Eleonora di Toledo in the duke's palace. Bronzino also provided designs for tapestries.