Born Giulio Pippi in Rome, he became the most significant assistant to Raphael, eventually taking over the master's workshop following his death in 1520. He later moved to Mantua in 1524 to serve Duke Federico II Gonzaga, where he oversaw major architectural and decorative projects that cemented his reputation as a versatile artist.

His work is characterized by a shift toward the complex, elongated forms and dramatic spatial arrangements that define the Mannerist style. Beyond his painting, he was a prolific architect and designer, most notably responsible for the Palazzo Te in Mantua, which remains his most celebrated architectural achievement.

His legacy persists through his extensive body of drawings and the widespread dissemination of his compositions via contemporary engravings by Marcantonio Raimondi. His works continue to appear in major international auctions of Old Master paintings, maintaining his status as a foundational figure in the history of European art.