Girolamo Alibrandi

Girolamo Alibrandi (* 1470 in Messina; † around 1524 ) was a Sicilian painter, and is also called Raffaello da Messina.

Life and work

Born in 1470 in Messina, he had trained as artist after vorausgegangenem law studies in the School of compatriot Salvo d' Antonio. After the death of his father, he traveled to the Italian mainland. In Milan, he is said to have enjoyed the direct teaching of Leonardo da Vinci. He then went to Rome and became friends with Raphael. Alibrando should have this picturesque oriented to his friend, for example, in the system of some figures in his major work Presentazione di Gesu al Tempio ( 1519). This proximity to Raphael gave him the second name Raffaello da one Messina. Already in Milan he had stepped apparently personal relationship with Cesare da Sesto, in whose company he then finally returned to Messina.

The main work of the Alibrando is the " Presentazione di Gesu al Tempio " a temple scene in 1519 painted for the Compagnia della Candelora to Messina. This oil painting (99 x 118 cm) originally hung in the cathedral in Messina. The picture shows the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child she just said Simeon giveth, surrounded by a numerous retinue of temple visitors. Due to the Corinthian columns of the arcades of the temple hall, the city of Jerusalem is visible with magnificent buildings and a wide background landscape. From Alibrando continue to the " Purificazione della Santa Vergine " originate in the cathedral of Messina.