Antonio da Trento

Woodcutter (Trento 1510 ca. – Fontainebleau 1550 ca.)

The partnership between Parmigianino - a pioneer in Italy of etching and chiaroscuro techniques - and Antonio da Trento began when they lived together in Bologna, where the Trentino engraver moved following his escape from Rome because of the sack of 1527.

These were years of fervent commitment on the part of both, which ended abruptly when Antonio da Trento disappeared from his colleague's Bologna home with all the sketches. Parmigianino saved the moulds, which were evidently too heavy to be transported in the sudden departure. Traces of the Trento engraver are lost until he arrives at the school of Fontainebleau, where, influenced by Rosso Fiorentino, he executed other works.

The contribution to the history and technique of graphic art of their collaboration is remarkable, especially in terms of expressive quality.