Francesco Francia Facts for Kids

Francesco Francia

A coin by Francesco Francia, called the Bentivolio coin.

Francesco Francia, whose real name was Francesco Raibolini (born around 1447 – died January 5, 1517), was a talented Italian artist. He was a painter, a goldsmith (someone who works with gold), and a medallist (someone who makes medals). He came from the city of Bologna in Italy. He even ran the city's mint, which is where coins are made!

Francesco Francia might have learned his art from another artist named Marco Zoppo. We first hear about him as a painter in 1486. His oldest known painting is the Felicini Madonna, which he signed and dated in 1494. He often worked with his friend and fellow artist, Lorenzo Costa. Francia's early style was influenced by Costa and Ercole de' Roberti. After 1505, his art started to look more like the works of famous painters like Perugino and Raphael.

Francia had a big art workshop where he taught many students. One of his most famous students was Marcantonio Raimondi. Raimondi learned how to engrave from Francia. Engraving is a way of making pictures by cutting designs into metal. According to a writer named Vasari, Raimondi quickly became even better than his teacher at engraving! There was a story that Francia became so sad after seeing Raphael's amazing painting, Santa Cecilia, that he died from sadness. However, we now know that Francia and Raphael were good friends, so this story is not true.

Francesco Francia passed away in his hometown of Bologna. His sons, Giacomo Francia and Giulio Francia, also became artists, following in their father's footsteps.

Francesco Francia's Artworks
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Francesco Francia's Artworks

Francesco Francia created many beautiful paintings during his life. He was known for his religious scenes, especially paintings of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, and also for his portraits of people.

Early Paintings (Before 1500)

Some of Francia's early works include religious paintings like the Crucifixion with St. John and St. Jerome from around 1485. He also painted The Holy Family and The Virgin and Child with an Angel. He made portraits too, such as the one of Bartolomeo Bianchini.

Paintings from 1500 to 1510

In the early 1500s, Francia continued to paint many religious scenes. These include different versions of the Madonna and Child and Adoration of the Child. He also painted important people like Evangelista Scappi and Bishop Altobello Averoldo. Francia also created large wall paintings, called frescoes, for the Oratorio di Santa Cecilia in Bologna. These frescoes show scenes from The life of Saint Cecilia and her husband Valerian.

Later Works (After 1510)

Later in his career, Francia painted more portraits, including one of Federico Gonzaga, who was the son of a very important lady named Isabella d'Este. He also painted a portrait that is likely of Isabella d'Este herself. Many of his later works continued to feature the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus, sometimes with other saints. His sons often helped him with these later paintings.