Sebastiano del Piombo (c. 1485-1547)

Venetian painter, he was a pupil of Giorgione and developed a similar style. In 1511 he moved to Rome, where his friendship with Michelangelo (and rivalry with Raphael) inspired his finest works, such as The Raising of Lazarus (1517-19; National Gallery, London).

Michelangelo encouraged him and provided designs for his work, including The Flagellation (S Pietro in Montorio, Rome), and the Pietà in Viterbo. His portraits include Clement VII (Naples Museum) and Andrea Doria (Doria Gallery, Rome).

From 1531 Sebastiano was keeper of the papal leaden seal, hence his sobriquet.