Page:Cyclopedia of painters and paintings (IA cyclopediaofpain02cham).pdf/102

 FRANCIA, FRANCESCO, born in Bologna in 1450, died there, Jan. 5, 1517. Bolognese school. Real name Francesco di Marco di Giacomo Raibolini; son of poor parents, apprenticed to a goldsmith, matriculated in 1482, became steward of the guild in 1483, and afterwards Master of the Mint under Bentivoglio. He was painter, engraver, and medallist, as well as goldsmith. His master was Lorenzo Costa, but he may have studied under Marco Zoppo. His Madonna, Berlin Museum, and his St. Stephen, Palazzo Borghese, Rome, are examples of his pre-Peruginesque manner, which show the hand of the goldsmith trained to careful finish and precision. In 1490 Francia had become the ablest draughtsman and master of composition in North Italy. An Umbrian character, derived from the study of Perugino's works, shows itself from this time; as in his fine Madonna with Saints, Nativity (1499), Madonna of St. George, Annunciation (1500), Bologna Gallery; Madonna with Angels and Saints (1499), S. Jacopo Maggiore, Bologna; Madonna with St. Joseph, Dudley Gallery, London; The Deposition, Parma Gallery; Madonna with Angels (doubtful), Madonna in Adoration, Old Pinakothek, Munich; Madonna with Saints (1502), Holy Family, Berlin Museum; Madonna, do. with Saints and Angels, Hermitage, St. Petersburg. Francia's third manner, uniting Umbrian softness with Florentine energy and power, was influenced by Raphael, whom he may have seen in 1505 or 1506 at Bologna, with whom he corresponded, and for whom he had a deep admiration. His portraits show a gradual change from the style of Perugino to that of Raphael, and the frescos by Francia (1509) in S. Cecilia, Bologna, are Raphaelesque. Other works are: Coronation of the Virgin, Duomo, Ferrara; Annunciation, Brera, Milan; do., Gallery Estense, Modena; Assumption, S. Frediano, Lucca; Pietà, Virgin enthroned with Saints, and Madonna with Saints, National Gallery, London; Baptism of Christ (1509), Dresden Gallery.—Vasari, ed. Mil., iii. 533, 551; C. & C., N. Italy, i. 556; Burckhardt, 112, 387, 583; Baldinucci, i. 598; Ch. Blanc, École bolonaise; Lübke, Gesch. ital. Mal., i. 447.

FRANCIA, GIACOMO DI FRANCESCO, born before 1486, died in 1557. Bolognese school. Was the most noted, as a painter, of Francesco Francia's sons. In the fresco of the Baptism of St. Valerian, Oratory of S. Cecilia, Bologna, by Giacomo, the figures are lifeless, coarse in outline, and of short proportions. His Martyrdom of St. Cecilia, ib., was probably painted after his father's design. Other works by Giacomo are: Christ on the Cross adored by Saints, Madonna with Saints (1526), Saints and the Painter, Bologna Gallery; Angels, S. Petronius, Bologna; Virgin Enthroned, Florence Academy; Virgin and Saints (1544), Brera, Milan.—C. & C., N. Italy, i. 574; Vasari, ed. Mil., iii. 558; Lavice, 12, 150.

FRANCIA, GIOVAMBATTISTA, born June 13, 1533, died May 13, 1575. Bolognese school. Son of Giulio and grandson of Francesco Francia; a poor painter, though a rich man, none of whose works can be authenticated. Many inferior pictures which pass under the name of his grandfather, Francesco Francia, may safely be attributed to him.—C. & C., N. Italy, i. 574; Vasari, ed. Mil., iii. 558.

FRANCIA, GIULIO DI FRANCESCO, born in Bologna (?), Aug. 20, 1487, died (?)