Jacopo Pontormo

Jacopo Pontormo (born Jacopo Carucci, 1494–1557) was among the earliest exponents of Italian Mannerism. Influenced by Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea del Sarto, he worked for the Medici, Borgherini and other patrons of Renaissance art in Florence, making his initial reputation with fresco works at the Medici villa at Poggio a Caiano. Like other Mannerist artists Pontormo's compositional design took precedence over naturalism and perspective. Thus, where High Renaissance painters sought harmony, Pontormo looked for drama and special effect. His angular style of cinquecento draughtsmanship owed a great deal to works by Michelangelo and Albrecht Dürer, although his sense of colour was entirely his own. Pontormo is famous for two outstanding works: The Deposition (1526-8), painted for the altarpiece of S. Felicita and a cycle of frescoes in the Church of S. Lorenzo (1546-56).