PERINO DEL, or more properly PIERINO BUONACCORSO (Perino, or Pierino being the diminutive of Piero, the Florentine form of Pietro), was a very distinguished painter of Italy, and was born at Florence in 1500. Having lost his parents in early youth, he was reduced to great shifts by the pinchings of poverty. He found a kind protector in the painter Andrea de' Ceri, who, attracted by the lad's noble appearance and the quickness of his powers, took him into his service and taught him his art. Giving great satisfaction to a Florentine named Vaga, with whom he subsequently worked, he took the youth to Rome and introduced him to Giulio Romano and Penni, who were accustomed to call him by the name of his master, by which he is now known. Raffaelle, having heard of Piero's eminent abilities, appointed him to assist Giovanni da Udine in the arabesques and stucco-work of the loggie of the Vatican. So great satisfaction did his work give to those interested in the progress of the Vatican, that Pierino was subsequently chosen to execute some of the fresco designs of Raffaelle. These works of Pierino's are among the best painted in the loggie. His designs greatly resembled those of Michael Angelo, and in his colouring he imitated much the manner of Raffaelle. In the opinion of Vasari, he was the best Florentine designer after Michael Angelo, and the ablest of all Raffaelle's scholars. He painted numerous works not only in Rome, but in various other cities of Italy, and he may fairly be called the founder of the Genoese school. On the sack of Rome, in 1527, Del Vaga went to the latter place, where he engaged in decorating the new palace of Prince Doria. The subjects of those works of art were for the most part drawn from heathen mythology; and his greatest painting, in the judgment of Soprani, is that of "Jupiter destroying the Giants." His "Creation of Eve," in the church of San Marcellino in Rome, is generally considered the best of all his pieces executed in that city. Previous to his death, nearly all the great works in painting were committed to his care. Incessant application, combined with too great a fondness for the pleasures of the tavern, hastened his death, which occurred in 1547, in his forty-seventh year.