Born in Lombardy, Giovanni da Milano was active in Florence and Rome during the mid-14th century. He is documented as having been admitted to the Guild of Saint Luke in Florence in 1346, marking the beginning of his recorded career in the city.

His work is characterized by a synthesis of the linear elegance typical of Sienese painting and the more robust, naturalistic forms favored by Florentine artists. He is particularly noted for his narrative cycles, which demonstrate a sophisticated use of color and a focus on human emotion within religious iconography.

His legacy remains tied to his influence on the development of the Florentine Renaissance, particularly through his frescoes in the Rinuccini Chapel at the Basilica of Santa Croce. His ability to render complex spatial arrangements and subtle psychological expressions continues to be a subject of study in medieval art history.