Giuliano di Piero di Simone Bugiardini (1475–1555),

• Was an Italian Renaissance painter.
• He was born and was mainly active in Florence.
• According to Giorgio Vasari he claimed the artist began his career under the sculptor Bertoldo in Lorenzo de' Medici's famous sculpture garden.
• It was probably there that Bugiardini met the young Michelangelo, with whom he'd remain friends throughout his career.
• In 1508, Bugiardini, Agnolo di Domenico del Mazziere, Francesco Granacci and other artists were called to Rome to assist Michelangelo with the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
• But their services were quickly rejected and the team was sent back to Florence.
• Bugiardini's friendship with Michelangelo was, however, enduring.
• According to Vasari, Michelangelo designed most of the figures in Bugiardini's large Martyrdom of Saint Catherine (1530-40) in the Rucellai chapel at Santa Maria Novella in Florence.
• Bugiardini also painted Michelangelo's portrait (Florence, Casa Buonarroti).
• In 1555 he died in his native Florence.
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