(b Florence, c. 1496; d Naples, after 1528). Painter and draughtsman. He worked for Raphael in Rome, possibly as early as 1510–11; some drawings datable to this period are either later copies of designs by Raphael, or were drawn by Penni on behalf of his master. According to Vasari, his role in Raphael’s workshop was that of secretary, hence his nickname Fattore. He was responsible for working up Raphael’s ideas and showed great skill at imitating his style. In 1515–16 he assisted in the preparation of the cartoons (Royal Col., on loan to London, V&A) for the Vatican tapestries (Rome, Pin. Vaticana), and subsequently with the work (1516) for the stufetta (bathroom) and loggetta for Cardinal Bibbiena. Both Venus Rising from the Waves and Minerva and Vulcan (in situ) correspond to what is known of Penni’s own work.

Part of the Penni family

• Penni, Giovan Francesco
  • Studio, §II, 2(i): History and development, c 1450–c 1600
  • collaboration
    • Chigi: (1) Agostino Chigi (i)
    • Colle, Raffaello dal
    • Raphael, §I, 1(iii)(a): Paintings and drawings: Works for the Vatican Palace, 1508–20
    • Raphael, §II: Working methods and technique
    • Rome, §V, 14(iii)(b): Vatican Palace: Decoration
  • patrons and collectors
    • Medici, de’: (8) Clement VII
  • works
    • Berto di Giovanni
    • Cellini, Benvenuto, §I, 1: Florence and Rome before the Sack, 1500–27