Francesco de Rossi Salviati Cecchino

In 1531 a young man left Florence, where he had been apprenticed to the painter Andrea del Sarto. Florence was still suffering the consequences of a siege, and the fate of the Medici as a ruling family was uncertain. The Medici had gone to Rome, which was also war-torn and had been through the worst of the plundering four years earlier. Francesco de'Rossi also traveled there in the hope of further studies and first commissions. He also wanted to see his friend from his childhood and teaching days, Giorgio Vasari, who was already there under the care of the Medici, who were once again active as patrons of the arts. He met his friend again, and as far as studies were concerned, Francesco found enough material in Rome. Michelangelo, as a fortress engineer of Florence, had not been able to contribute to the salvation of the city. Now, however, his previous works served the studious student as models, especially in painting, even before those of Raphael and Giulio Romano, and their mannerist style had a lasting influence on him. The first commissions, in turn, he received from Cardinal Giovanni Salviati, an influential Medici. A few paintings to the great satisfaction of the Cardinal were followed by frescoes in the palace chapel, and since Francesco was soon considered his pupil, he was called only Cecchino (diminutive of Francesco) Salviati. Under this name, "Il Salviati" for short, the art world has known him ever since.

Although frescoes and altarpieces initially brought him greater fame, the range of his skills and knowledge is wide. Coming from a craft background and as a trained goldsmith, he was adept at working with a wide variety of techniques and materials, and was also shod in disciplines such as architecture. Salviati chose his motifs according to the wishes of his clients. Religious depictions are most frequently found, but also themes of ancient mythology and history, as well as portraits of his customers. It is precisely their impression of authenticity that points to the individuality that characterizes his paintings. Each of them gives the impression of being unique to a particular degree. The action of the scenes is reflected in the expressiveness of the figures, whose contours he makes stand out through strong colors, in the background a skillful play of light and shadow. Thanks in part to Cardinal Salviati's connections as a papal diplomat, which extended far beyond Rome, he created frescoes primarily in other Italian palaces and monasteries. His path took him as far as France, and the list of Roman buildings in which he worked is of exclusive prominence.

Salviati's friendship and artistic collaboration with Giorgio Vasari lasted a lifetime. The artist's vita written by the latter provides us with an excellent source situation, although the reader occasionally suspects that the author let the star of his friend now and then shine particularly brightly to put himself a little in a good light.

Francesco de Rossi Salviati Cecchino

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Artworks by Francesco de Rossi Salviati Cecchino

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