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Rosso (in French, Roux), Giovanni Batista Del

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Rosso (In French, Roux), Giovanni Batista Del,

an architect and painter of the Florentine school, was born at Florence in 1496. It is not known whether he ever studied under any of the masters of his time, but his style was probably formed from copying the works of Angelo and Parmigiaio. His life was one of agitation, and, during his earlier years, a continued disappointment. Finding that his work was not appreciated in his native city, he left for Rome. Here his success was somewhat greater; but, after the sack of the city in 1527, he fell into the hands of soldiers, who robbed him of all he possessed. He went to Perugia, and after the city was quieted, returned to Rome. In 1530 he went to France, where he was well received by Francis I; and his troubles seemed at an end. He was superintendent of the works at Fontainebleau, and many of the frescos are by his own hand. During the triumphal passage of Charles V through France, the arches which were erected in his honor were designed by Rosso. As a reward for his work, Francis added to the pension of the artist and gave him a canonicate in the Sainte Chapelle. He lived in luxury and high favor at court but an unfortunate affair, involving his honesty, so wrought upon his mind that he poisoned himself in 1541. The pictures of Rosso are not often seen in galleries, but there are a few which may be mentioned . Moses Defending the Daughters of Jethro: — The Four Seasons: — Christ in the Tomb: — Madonna, with St. Sebastian and other Saints: — and the Marriage of the Virgin.