Domenico di Tommaso Bigordi Ghirlandaio was born in Florence and studied painting and mosaic with the noted Florentine painter Alesso Baldovinetti. His style was also influenced by the Italian Renaissance artists Giotto, Masaccio, Andrea del Castagno and Andrea del Verrocchio. Except for a period spent in Rome working for Pop Sixtus IV, Domenico Ghirlandaio lived in Florence, where he became one of the greatest masters of the Florentine SChool.

Ghirlandaio’s keen observation, solid painting and old-fashioned style appealed to the conservative Florentine businessmen who became patrons of Ghirlandaio’s workshop.

Although not an innovator, Ghirlandaio brought to its height in the 15th century the realism that is one of the dominating characteristics of that school. He painted religious fescoes and easel pictures but often introduced recognisable Florentine scenery and portraits of contemporary personages attired in the costumes of the time.

Ghirlandaio is particularly distinguished for his frescoes, among which are ‘The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew‘ (1481-1482, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City); his masterpiece, ‘Scenes from the Life of St. Francis‘ (1485, Church of Santa Trinità, Florence); and ‘Legend of the Virgin and Life of John the Baptist‘ (1485-1490, choir of the Church of Santa Maria Novella, Florence). He also painted altarpieces, inlcuding ‘Adoration of the Shepherds‘ (1485, Santa Trinità) and ‘Virgin in Glory‘ (~1490, Alte Pinakothek, Munich).

Among his easel pictures, all painted in tempera, are ‘Adoration of the Kings‘ (1487, Galleria degli Uffizi Gallery Florence) and ‘Old Man with His Grandson‘ (1480, Musée du Louvre, Paris).

Among Domenico Ghirlandaio’s pupils was the famous Italian Renaissance artist Michaelangelo. Domenico often worked with his brothers Benedetto and Davide.