The Tailor ('Il Tagliapanni') - Giovanni Battista Moroni - Framed art Print

Born around 1520/4 near Albino, Italy, Bondo Petello, also known as Giambattista Moroni, was an influential portraitist of the Late Renaissance era, who died on February 5, 1578. He was born into a family of an architect and apprenticed under Alessandro Buonvicino, better known as Moretto, in Brescia. Throughout his career, he painted in various cities including Trento, Verona, and Milan, but his most significant work was done in Albino and nearby Bergamo.

Moroni's portraits were admired for their uncanny realism, distinctively capturing the elegance of the local aristocracy and clergy. They echoed Moretto's style, but where his teacher's religious works were merely ordinary, Moroni's portrait work was extraordinary. His paintings stood out for their deep psychological insight, dignified aura, and unique silvery nuances.

His impact on the art scene was substantial, with artists like Fra Galgario and Pietro Longhi being influenced by his work. His student, Giovanni Paolo of Kavana, also carried forward his legacy. Some of his most celebrated works, including 'The Tailor' (c. 1570), are housed in London's National Gallery, but his portraits can also be found in the Uffizi Gallery and numerous other museums worldwide. His work was critical in shaping the realistic tradition of late Renaissance art.