a celebrated painter, whose true name was Francesco Mazzuoli; but he received the former from the city of Parma, where he was born, in 1504. He was brought up under his two uncles, and was an eminent painter when but fifteen years of age. He was famous all over Italy at nineteen; and at twenty-three performed such wonders, that when the general of the emperor Charles V. took Rome by storm, some of the common soldiers having, in attacking the town, broke into his apartments, found him intent upon his work, and were instantly so struck with the beauty of his pieces, that instead of involving him in the plunder and destruction in which they were then employed, they resolved to protect him from all manner of violence; which they actually performed. His works are distinguished by the beauty of the colouring, the invention, and drawing. His figures are spirited and graceful, particularly with respect to the choice of attitude, and in their dresses. He also excelled in music, in which he much delighted. His principal works are at Parma, where he lived for several years in great reputation; till unhappily he involved himself in ruin, by spending a considerable part of his time and fortune in search of the philosopher's stone; and died poor in 1540.

There are extant many valuable prints made by this master, not only in chiaro oscuro, but also in etching with aqua-fortis, of which he is said to be the inventor, or at least the first who practised the art of etching in Italy.