Born Bartolomeo Brandini in Florence, Bandinelli was the son of a goldsmith and trained in the workshop of Giovanni Francesco Rustici. He emerged as a significant figure in the Florentine art scene during the early 16th century, establishing a reputation for his technical skill in marble carving and his extensive output of drawings.

His work is characterized by a focus on muscular anatomy and complex, often dramatic, figural compositions. He was a frequent rival of Michelangelo, and his practice spanned sculpture, painting, and design, with a particular emphasis on large-scale public commissions that reflected the aesthetic values of the Medici court.

Bandinelli remains a subject of study for his contributions to the Mannerist transition in sculpture and his influence on the training of artists through his own academy in Florence. His legacy is defined by his role in shaping the sculptural landscape of 16th-century Italy.