Girolamo Alibrandi

Who was Girolamo Alibrandi?

Girolamo Alibrandi, was a Sicilian painter called 'the Raphael of Messina'.

Alibrandi received his first instruction in the school of the Antonj. The fame which Antonello da Messina, his countryman, had acquired in Venice, induced him to visit that city. While there he received for a short time instruction from Antonello. He also enjoyed the friendship of Giorgione. Alibrandi afterwards went to Milan, where he became a disciple of Leonardo da Vinci. Alibrandi then went to Rome and studied the antique artifacts and the works of Raphael. From Rome he went to Parma, and thence back to Messina, where the town possesses his best works. His most important of work was a large picture of the 'Presentation in the Temple', painted in 1519 for the Chiesa della Candelora. It was in existence in the early part of the century, but is now no longer to be found. Alibrando died of the plague in 1524 at Messina.