GIOVANNI FRANCISCO, born at Florence, in 1483, was the disciple of Raphael, who observing his genius and integrity, intrusted his domestic concerns entirely to his management; by which means he got the appellation of il fattore, or the "steward," which he retained ever after. The genius of Penni was universal; but his greatest pleasure was in painting landscapes and buildings: he was an excellent designer, and coloured extremely well in oil, distemper, and fresco. He painted portraits in an exquisite style; and had such happy natural talents, that Raphael left him heir to his fortune in partnership with Julio Romano his fellow-disciple. After Raphael's death, Penni painted many pictures at Rome, particularly in the palace of Chigi, so exactly in the style of his master, that they might not undeservedly have been imputed to him: he finished, in conjunction with Julio and Pierino del Vaga, the celebrated designs of the battles of Constantine, and others, which Raphael had left imperfect; but differing with them about a copy of the transfiguration, which the pope intended for the king of France, they separated. Penni went to Naples; but the air of that country disagreeing with his constitution, he died soon after in 1528. He had a brother called LUCCA PENNI, who worked at Genoa and other parts of Italy in conjunction with Pierino del Vaga, who married his sister; he went thence to England, where he worked for Henry VIII., and for several merchants; was employed by Francis I. at Fontainbleau; but at last quitted the pencil, and devoted himself to engraving.