Early Life and Florentine Training Lodovico Cardi, known universally as Cigoli, emerged in the vibrant artistic landscape of late 16th-century Florence on September 21st, 1559. Born at Villa Castelvecchio near his namesake town, Cigoli’s initial artistic formation took place under Alessandro Allori, a fervent proponent of Mannerism—a style characterized by elongated forms, stylized poses, and often complex compositions. This early tra…