Andrea del Sarto

Andrea del Sarto – tailor, goldsmith, art student

Andrea del Sarto was born on 16 July 1486 in Gualfonda, Florence. The epithet Sarto (meaning tailor) he owes to his father, the tailor Angelo di Francesco. The young Andrea del Sarto initially started a career neither as a tailor, nor a painter, but rather began an apprenticeship as a goldsmith. His talent as a draughtsman attracted the attention of an unknown painter who from then on gave the talented young man lessons in painting, later apprenticing him to Piero di Cosimo, who enabled Andrea del Sarto to deepen and refine his newly acquired knowledge. In 1506 del Sarto set up a joint studio with his artist friend Franciabigio, but increasingly orientated his development to the greats of his time: Leonardo, Michelangelo and in particular Fra Bartolommeo, whose influence is clearly sensed in the work of del Sarto.

Madonna of the Harpies – Andrea del Sarto’s masterpiece

From 1508, Andrea del Sarto’s creativity began a high point during which his main work was created which continues to prove his reputation as a master of the Renaissance to this day. He is famous for his frescoes from the life of the Servite Philippus Benizzi, painted from 1509 to 1514. In 1511 he created a grey on grey fresco about the baptism of Christ and in 1517 one of his most famous works, an altar picture for the convent of San Francesco de’ Macci: only a precise observer will know why this masterpiece by Andrea del Sarto has been given the nickname “Madonna of the Harpies”. None less than Giorgio Vasari, court painter for the Medici, is said to have been responsible for the name that is still popular today, which refers to the small harpy figures with which Andrea del Sarto decorated the pedestal on which his Madonna stands: Madonna delle Arpie.  The universal genius Vasari cultivated an ambivalent relationship with his teacher. The existing sympathy contrasted with the conviction that the master lacked creative brilliance and allowed himself to be influenced too much by his wife. The modest, reserved lifestyle that Andrea del Sarto cultivated also met with incomprehension from the sophisticated Vasari.

Residence in France, return to Florence

Andrea del Sarto was married to the widow Lucrezia del Fede whom he often depicted as virgin or saint. He was employed by the French king Franz I for two years before returning to Florence to work for the Medici. Against the promise of an early return, the king supported the artist with financial grants, with which del Sarto built a house. However, the painter did not keep his word – probably under the influence of Lucrezia who did not want to leave Florence again. Andrea del Sarto died most probably before 29 September 1530 in his hometown of Florence from the plague. His works can be seen in the world’s greatest museums, including the Louvre in Paris and the National Gallery in London.