Andrea del Sarto

Renaissance master Andrea del Sarto (1486-1530) was known as "the painter without errors" for his flawless technique. Working in Florence, he combined Leonardo's sfumato with Raphael's compositional harmony, developing an unsurpassed expressive use of color. His frescoes, altarpieces, and portraits influenced the next generation of Florentine painters. Vasari, who trained in his workshop, ranked him among the greatest painters, praising his perfection in drawing, coloring, and invention.

Del Sarto ("the tailor's son") trained under Piero di Cosimo before establishing his own style influenced by Fra Bartolommeo, Leonardo, and Raphael. His frescoes for the Servite Order at Santissima Annunziata (1509-1514) established his reputation. In 1518, Francis I of France summoned him to Fontainebleau, though he returned to Florence after a year. His masterpiece Madonna of the Harpies (1517) demonstrates his mature style. He trained the most significant Florentine painters of the early 16th century, including Rosso Fiorentino, Pontormo, and Vasari himself. Michelangelo admired his talents. Del Sarto died during a plague outbreak at age 44. Works hang at the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, and the National Gallery in London.