Tommaso Manzuoli detto Maso da San Friano

(1531 - 1571)

This important painting has been attributed, in Antonio Paolucci’s expertise, to the works of Maso da San Friano who was, along with Allori, Ligozzi and Zuccari, a leading member of the second generation of the Tuscan Mannerists.

Maso da San Friano was a well-known artist during the second half of Sixteenth Century and, in 1570/1571, he obtained from Francesco I de’ Medici, the important assignment of participating in the decoration of the Studiolo in Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, where he painted the Diamond Mines and the Fall of Icarus.

We do not know very much about Maso’s education as a painter, but it is sure that he was influenced by Andrea del Sarto and Pontormo. This is evidenced by the grandeur of the figurative framework of the altarpiece under examination and which Paolucci dated to the Sixties of 16^th Century, a little before the paintings he produced for the Studiolo: this Coronation of the Virgin, indeed, seems to precede them with its grave and dramatic style.

The altarpiece was made for a noble Florentine family’s private chapel and it remained there until this auction held by Maison Bibelot; it is a remarkable example of altarpiece painted for private devotion purpose.