Giovanni di paolo biography of abraham

Early Days

Born in the Sienese quarter of Poggio dei Malavolti, near Sant-Agostino, he is as a result sometimes known as Giovanni dal Poggio.

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It is not known how Giovanni acquired his skills in drawing and sketching, although it is presumed that he was taught by followers of Taddeo di Bartolo (1362-1422) and Gregorio di Cecco (c.1390-1428). Evidence shows that his first job (1417) was decorating a Book of Hours for the Dominican Order in Siena, a task he must have found intensely worthwhile since he returned to the decoration of illuminated manuscripts many times throughout his life.

In 1420 he painted two important religious works (now believed lost) for the convent at San Domenico and for the monastery of St Marta in Siena. The following year he painted the first work securely identified and attributed to him, "The Triumph of Venus" (1421, Louvre, Paris).

NOTE: For other important artists active in Siena, see: Duccio di Buo