Michelangelo Anselmi

He was born, apparently in Tuscany, perhaps in Lucca, from a Parmesan family of ancient Langobard origin, known as Anselmi di Cardano.

There, he painted frescoes including several decorations in San Giovanni Evangelista, and an altarpiece for the Duomo.

Together with his contemporary Rondani he painted a narrative fresco series on the Life of the Virgin for the Oratorio della Concezione in Parma.

Anselmi also painted Holy Family with Saint Barbara (c. 1540; now in the National Gallery of Parma).

In 1541, he decorated the apse of the church of the Steccata in Parma according to a design, not of Parmigianino who had once been employed in this task, but of Giulio Romano.