DADDI Bernardo “Master of the die”

(?? 1512 c – Rome 1570)

Bernardo Daddi (perhaps born in 1512 approx – died in Rome in 1570), is the name given to Master  B recognized for a B marked on a dice, that is present in several prints.
The Mister of the Die was a painter and engraver of the school of Marcantonio Raimondi, and active in Rome between 1532 and 1550.

He was often wrongly confused with Beatricetto or with Bonasone. The Le Blanc believes he is a descendant of the painter Bernardo Daddi (ca. 1512-Rome 1570. In contrast, others identify with our Benedict Verini, natural child or alleged of  Marcantonio dissolving the initials BV appearing on some of his prints. However, his true identity is still unknown.

Engraver of playing other people’s works, performed sometimes at the request of Antonio Lafrery (Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae important work from a drawing attributed to Raphael), his favorite models are those from Raphael. Good in the technique of engraving, he treats sacred, mythological,  allegorical and ornamental subjects.

The best known works are: the Fable of Psyche, 32 tables engraved with Agostino Veneziano on the Flemish Michele Coxie drawings; the Tapestry of the Pope, 4 boards, Aeneas and Anchises, Apollo and Marsyas, Triumph of Love, the Naval Combat. To  Master B are assigned about 85 prints.