Francesco Vanni

Francesco Vanni (1563 – 26 October 1610) was an Italian painter of the Mannerist style, active in Rome and his native city of Siena.

Vanni was part of a family of painters, including his half-brother Ventura Salimbeni, and stepfather Arcangelo Salimbeni. His stepfather died when Francesco was young, and as a 16-year-old went first to Bologna, then to Rome. There he apprenticed with Giovanni de' Vecchi during 1579-80, though like other Tuscan painters of his day, he was influenced in part by Federico Barocci from Urbino, and he was among the last painters who also reflected the influence of the Sienese School of painting. He was named a Cavalieri.

In Rome, he worked later with Salimbeni, Bartolomeo Passerotti, and Andrea Lilio. He was commissioned by Pope Clement VIII to paint an altarpiece for the St. Peter's, later transferred to mosaic, Simon Magus rebuked by St. Peter. He painted several other pictures for Roman churches; including St Michael defeats rebel angels for the sacristy of S. Gregorio; a Pietà for Santa Maria in Vallicella; and the Assumption for San Lorenzo in Miranda.

Returning to Siena, where he ultimately died, he afterwards worked at Parma, Bologna, and again at Rome. At Siena, he painted a S. Raimondo walking on the Sea for the church of the Dominicans. Vanni painted a Baptism of Constantine (1586-7) for the church of San Agostino in Siena. He painted a Christ appearing to St. Catherine for the chapel of il Refugio at the Sanctuary of Santa Caterina di Siena, and a Baptism (1587) for the former church of San Giovannino e Gennaro, Siena. He painted an Immaculate Conception (1588) for the Montalcino Cathedral and an Annunciation (1589) for the church of Santa Maria dei Servi in Siena. He painted a "Crucifixion with Father Matteo Guerra" for San Giorgio. One of his pupils was Rutilio Manetti.

His sons, Michelangelo and Raffaello Vanni were also painters. Among his pupils was Astolfo Petrazzi. The painter from Perugia, Benedetto Bandieri, claimed to be a descendant of Vanni.

The painter Francesco di Vanni was active in the 14th century.

Media related to Francesco Vanni at Wikimedia Commons