Saturday, April 25, 2026 · No. 114
Artist Profile

Jacopo Ligozzi

Jacopo Ligozzi was a prominent Italian late-Renaissance and Mannerist painter, illustrator, and miniaturist known for his highly detailed botanical and zoological studies as well as his complex narrative drawings.

Biography

Born in Verona in 1547, Jacopo Ligozzi was a member of a family of painters and designers. He moved to Florence in the late 1570s, where he entered the service of the Medici court, establishing himself as a versatile artist capable of producing both large-scale religious paintings and intricate scientific illustrations.

Ligozzi is celebrated for his precise, naturalistic renderings of flora and fauna, which were often commissioned for scientific study, alongside his sophisticated compositions in ink and wash. His work bridges the gap between the decorative arts and the rigorous observation characteristic of the late sixteenth century.

His market presence remains significant, as evidenced by the 2026 sale of his drawing Dante and Virgil before the Tribunal of Minos, which achieved a record price at auction. His legacy continues to be recognized through the enduring value of his technical draftsmanship and his contributions to the visual culture of the Medici era.

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Notable Works

  • Dante and Virgil before the Tribunal of Minos · 1587Drawing

Career Highlights

  • 2026Auction record set for Dante and Virgil before the Tribunal of Minos at Artcurial
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