Giulio Clovio
Giulio Clovio was born in 1498 within the village of Grižane, located in the Kingdom of Croatia. His family background remains a point of historical interest as he is often identified by his Croatian heritage. Historical records indicate that the exact location where he received his initial artistic education remains unknown to scholars today. Some accounts suggest he may have studied alongside monks at Rijeka of Novi Bazar during his youth. This early period of his life lacks detailed documentation compared to his later career achievements.
At age eighteen, Clovio moved from his homeland to Italy to pursue professional opportunities. He entered the household of Cardinal Marino Grimani, who provided him with training as a painter. Between 1516 and approximately 1523, he resided in Rome within the palace of Cardinal Domenico Grimani. During this time, he studied under Giulio Romano and Girolamo dai Libri. By 1524, he had traveled to Buda to serve King Louis II of Hungary. After the king's death in the Battle of Mohács, Clovio returned to Rome to continue his artistic career.
The Farnese Hours stands as his most famous work, completed in 1546 for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese after nine years of labor. This manuscript contains twenty-eight miniatures depicting scenes from both the Old and New Testaments. A notable double-page image shows the Corpus Christi procession in Rome. The Soane Manuscript features 130 vellums with two large miniatures illustrating the conversion of St Paul. The Towneley Lectionary includes six full-page miniatures opposite depictions of the Evangelists. These works define the High Renaissance style of miniature painting during that era.
Clovio maintained a friendship with the younger Greek artist El Greco during El Greco's early years in Rome. El Greco painted two portraits of Clovio, one showing him alongside Michelangelo, Titian, and Raphael. Pieter Bruegel the Elder stayed with Clovio in Rome during his Italian trip of 1553. Bruegel executed a small medallion depicting ships in a storm on a Clovio miniature of the Last Judgment. Six other Bruegels mentioned in Clovio's will have since disappeared from existence.
From 1551 to 1553, Clovio worked in Florence where he painted a miniature of Eleanor of Toledo. He designed many costumes for the elaborate wedding festivities of Ortensia Borromeo held in March 1565. These celebrations took place in the Vatican and included a tournament in the Belvedere courtyard. The costumes are recorded in a series of anonymous etchings, some likely based on Clovio's design drawings. Such duties were expected of Renaissance court painters serving high-ranking patrons.
Croatia celebrated the 1998 500th anniversary of his birth with significant national events. The Croatian National Bank issued a special 200 kuna silver coin in commemoration. A monument to Clovio was raised in Drivenik to honor his legacy. The Croatian government purchased Clovio's The Last Judgement painting that he had given as a gift to Pope Clement VII. Bernardin Modrić released a film titled The
Gospel According to Klović in 2006. The Vatican also issued postal stamps celebrating this five-hundredth birth anniversary.
Up Next
Continue Browsing
Common questions
Where was Giulio Clovio born and what is his heritage?
Giulio Clovio was born in 1498 within the village of Grižane, located in the Kingdom of Croatia. He is often identified by his Croatian heritage.
When did Giulio Clovio move to Italy and who trained him there?
At age eighteen, Clovio moved from his homeland to Italy to pursue professional opportunities. He entered the household of Cardinal Marino Grimani, who provided him with training as a painter.
What year was the Farnese Hours completed by Giulio Clovio?
The Farnese Hours stands as his most famous work, completed in 1546 for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese after nine years of labor. This manuscript contains twenty-eight miniatures depicting scenes from both the Old and New Testaments.
Which artists had friendships or collaborations with Giulio Clovio during his time in Rome?
Clovio maintained a friendship with the younger Greek artist El Greco during El Greco's early years in Rome. Pieter Bruegel the Elder stayed with Clovio in Rome during his Italian trip of 1553.
Where did Giulio Clovio design costumes for Ortensia Borromeo in March 1565?
He designed many costumes for the elaborate wedding festivities of Ortensia Borromeo held in March 1565. These celebrations took place in the Vatican and included a tournament in the Belvedere courtyard.