Palma Vecchio, whose original name was Iacomo Negreti, was a 16th-century Venetian painter. Nothing is known of his training. Stylistically his work owes a considerable debt to bothTitian and Giorgione. 'A Blonde Woman' is related to Titian's famous picture of Flora in the Uffizi, Florence.
Palma Vecchio came from the Bergamo area. He was first mentioned in 1510 in Venice, the city where he apparently worked for the rest of his life. Vasari said that he died at the age of 48 which would mean that he was born in about 1480. He is best known for two domestic types of painting he developed - the sacra conversazione in horizontal format and set in an extensive landscape, and the half-length pseudo-portraits of beautiful women.
Palma Vecchio
about 1480 - 1528
Paintings by Palma Vecchio
A voluptuous woman regards us with an inviting sidelong glance that is both reticent and willing. She unveils her charms, and as she does so offers us a posy of flowers. Her chemise has fallen from her shoulder to reveal her breast, the curve of which is emphasised by the line of her blue silk ri...
Not on display
This thoughtful man, probably in his late twenties, is richly dressed in a costume dating from about 1516. He holds a rosary and his hand rests on a book tied with blue ribbons. Round his neck is a type of gold chain worn by the minor nobility.The book and the laurels behind him suggest that he m...