Allori, Cristofano

Allori, Cristofano (called Bronzino), an Italian painter, was born at Florence in 1577. He was the son of Alessandro, and by him was instructed in the art for a time. He became a good colorist by imitating the works of Ludovico Cardi, called

Cigoli. He did several fine pieces of work for the churches and convents of Florence, and for the palace of the Medici; also many admirable portraits of the most eminent men of his time. The St. Julian of the Pitti Palace is the grandest of his productions, though his picture of Judith with the Head of Holofernes is better known. Many copies of his works are to be found throughout Italy. Owing to vicious indulgences that often seduced him from his labors, his works are extremely rare and lie himself comparatively little known. He died in 1621.