3. Biographical details of the artists
3.1 Alfani Domenico di Paride Alfani: Perugia, ca 1480 - after 1553 Son of the goldsmith Paride and father of the painter Orazio, the basic element of Alfani’s figurative style derives from Raphael, who was about the same age and was his friend, as is proved by archival records and the works done in collaboration. In light of this bond, some have put forth the hypothesis, rejected by others, that it was for Domenico that Raphael painted the Conestabile Madonna - section 2.35 - the first mention of which, from the 1600s, describes it as being in the possession of the main branch of the Alfanis. Although it has not been possible to find evidence of Alfani working in Rome along with his famous friend from Urbino, it is certain that he had more than a fleeting contact with the art circles of Florence, especially with Bartolomeo della Porta, of which ample traces remain, especially in the production of the first decades of the Cinquecento. The final stage is dominated by a return to the Raphaelesque style complicated by contributions from Florentine painting, with rather cold and academic results. Among his most significant works is the Holy Family in the National Gallery of Umbria in Perugia, done in collaboration with Pompeo d’Anselmo, as well as the previously unknown Presentation at the Temple in a private collection in Madrid, shown in section 2.32. Besides the ten or so paintings concentrated at the National Gallery and other locations in Perugia, such as the churches of San Pietro and Santo Stefano, other works by Alfani in the region are found in a private collection near Gubbio and in Castel Rigone, Città della Pieve, Civitella Benazzone, Deruta and Terni. Biographical Details of the Artists
229