Attributed to Girolamo Savoldo (c. 1480-1548) - Portrait of a Man with a Hawk - RCIN 405764 - Royal Collection

Giovanni Girolamo Savoldo was an Italian Renaissance painter who was born in Brescia, Lombardy, around 1480-1485. He is known for his distinctive style, which combined elements of Venetian and Lombard painting. Savoldo's early life and training are not well documented, but it is believed that he studied with Giovanni Bellini in Venice. He later returned to Brescia, where he became a prominent member of the local art scene. Savoldo's paintings are characterised by the use of rich, vibrant colours and dramatic lighting effects. He often painted religious subjects, but also portraits and genre scenes. His style was influenced by the work of other Italian painters such as Giorgione and Titian. One of Savoldo's most famous works is The Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine, which is now in the collection of the National Gallery in London. The painting depicts Saint Catherine of Alexandria being married to the infant Jesus by the Virgin Mary. The painting is remarkable for its use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Savoldo's work was highly regarded during his lifetime and he received commissions from a number of prominent patrons, including the Gonzaga family of Mantua. Despite this success, little is known of his life after about 1548, and the date of his death is uncertain.