Art, literature & historyFrancesco Francia
1450–1517
Selected artwork
Bishop Altobello Averoldo
c. 1505
National Gallery of Art
Other names (46)
bolognese Francesco Francia, F. France, F. Francia, Fra. Francia, Fran., Francesco da Bologna, Francesco de' Raibolini, Francesco de' Rombalini, Francesco de' Rombolini, Francesco De' Rombulini, Francesco di Francia, Francesco di Marco di Giacomo il Raibolini Francia, Francesco di Marco di Giacomo Raibolini, Francesco di Marco gen. Il Francia, Francesco di Marco Raibolini, Francesco (Francesco di Marco di Giacomo Raibolini) Francia, Francesco (Francesco Raibolini) Francia, Francesco Francia Bolognese, Francesco Francia Raibolini, Francesco Francia Vecchio, Francesco Frangi, Francesco Frangia, Francesco Franza, Francesco Raibolini, Francesco Raibolini Francia, francesco raibolini gen. francia, francesco raibolini gen. il francia, Franc. Francia, Fran.ci, Francia, Francia bolognese, Francia vecchio, Francia vecchio bolognese, Francisco Francia, Fran.co Franza, François Francia, frangi, Frangia, Frangia Vecchio, Frantia, Franza, Fr. Francia, gen. il Francia Francesco di Marco, Il Francia, Marco di Giacomo Raibolini, or Raibolini Francesco Francia
Biography
Francesco Francia, whose real name was Francesco Raibolini (1447 – 5 January 1517), was an Italian painter, goldsmith, and medallist from Bologna, who was also director of the city mint.
He may have trained with Marco Zoppo and was first mentioned as a painter in 1486. His earliest known work is the Felicini Madonna, which is signed and dated 1494. He worked in partnership with Lorenzo Costa, and was influenced by Ercole de' Roberti's and Costa's style. After 1505 he was influenced more by Perugino and Raphael. He had a large workshop and trained Marcantonio Raimondi, Ludovico Marmitta, and several other artists; he produced niellos, in which Raimondi first learnt to engrave, soon excelling his master, according to Vasari.
Raphael's Santa Cecilia is supposed to have produced such a feeling of inferiority in Francia that it caused him to die of depression. However, as his friendship with Raphael is now well-known, this story has been discredited.
He died in Bologna. His sons Giacomo Francia and Giulio Francia were also artists.
Crucifixion with St. John and St. Jerome, c.
Wikipedia contributors. Opening excerpt, formatted for reading. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source revision.
Influenced by
- Francesco Squarcioneeditorial inference
Evidence
Wikidata assertion retained for review; its references, if supplied, have not been independently verified. Teaching is recorded separately and does not itself establish artistic influence.
- Raphaeleditorial inference
Evidence
The biography identifies Raphael as an artistic influence on Francesco Francia. The passage places Perugino and Raphael's influence after 1505. Explicit secondary-source assertion; independent historical verification remains pending.
- Pietro Peruginoeditorial inference
Evidence
The biography identifies Pietro Perugino as an artistic influence on Francesco Francia. The passage places Perugino and Raphael's influence after 1505. Explicit secondary-source assertion; independent historical verification remains pending.
- Lorenzo Costaeditorial inference
Evidence
The biography identifies Lorenzo Costa as an artistic influence on Francesco Francia. The passage places Perugino and Raphael's influence after 1505. Explicit secondary-source assertion; independent historical verification remains pending.
- Ercole de' Robertieditorial inference
Evidence
The biography identifies Ercole de' Roberti as an artistic influence on Francesco Francia. The passage places Perugino and Raphael's influence after 1505. Explicit secondary-source assertion; independent historical verification remains pending.
Later influence
- Bartolomeo Ramenghieditorial inference
Evidence
Wikidata assertion retained for review; its references, if supplied, have not been independently verified. Teaching is recorded separately and does not itself establish artistic influence.
- Jacopo Franciaeditorial inference
Evidence
Wikidata assertion retained for review; its references, if supplied, have not been independently verified. Teaching is recorded separately and does not itself establish artistic influence.
- Marcantonio Raimondieditorial inference
Evidence
The biography records Raimondi's training in Francia's workshop. Explicit secondary-source assertion; independent historical verification remains pending. Teaching does not by itself establish artistic influence.
Artworks by year
Loading chronology…Museum / collectionAll collections
Finding recorded artworks…
Museums & collections
Documented holdings of works attributed to Francesco Francia. Check the museum’s record for current display information.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art4 recorded works
- National Gallery of Art2 recorded works
- Museo Nacional del Prado1 recorded work