Penni, Giovanni Francesco

Penni, Giovanni Francesco an eminent Italian painter, was born at Florence in 1488, and received the name of Il Farttorne, or the Steward, from his having been entrusted with the management of the domestic affairs of Raffaelle. He was, however, also one of his principal assistants, and probably bore the surname 11 Fattore because he was also Raffaelle's apprentice. He was first employed in the decoration of the Loggie of the Vatican, where he executed the histories of Abraham and Isaac in such an admirable manner that Raffaelle made him one of his heirs. Dr. Waagen is of opinion that Penni executed many parts of the cartoons at Hampton Court, especially those of the Death of Ananias, St. Paul and Barnabas art Lystra, and St. Paul Preaching at Athens. Of Penni's own works no frescos and very few oil-paintings remain. His characteristics are said to have been facility of invention, graceful execution, and singular felicity in landscape. After the death of Raffaelle, Penni went to Naples, where he died in 1528. Kugler and Passavant attribute to Penni the celebrated Madonna del Passeggio in the Bridgewater collection, usually believed to be Raffaelle's.