[Born at Florence, 1488. Died there, 1530. Aged 42.]
Called Del Sarto, from the trade of his father, who was a tailor. Long
trouble followed his early and unfortunate marriage. Visited France,
where he painted pictures for Francis I., who loaded him with gifts, and
commissioned him to buy works of art in Florence. Spent the money
entrusted to him, and bought neither pictures nor statues for his
illustrious patron. Disgraced, neglected, and poor, he died deserted by
his wife. This painter--whose works are admirable in design and colour,
and remarkable for the elegance and majesty of the figures, is deficient
in elevation and refinement of expression. His own character was morally
weak and degraded.
[By Antonio D’Este. A monument was erected to him by Raffaelle da
Monti Lupo at the expense of Domenico Conti, the heir of Andrea, in
the Church of the Servites. It was removed by the authorities, but in
1606 a Prior had another tomb erected in the cloister, between the
Madonna del Sacco and another of his frescos. A life-size bust in
marble, by Giovanni Caccini, surmounts this tomb.]