Entry of Charles VIII into Florence

A pupil of Ghirlandaio, Granacci seems precociously to have assimilated ideas from the activity of Michelangelo - who was his friend - although he later fell back more modestly on the monumental breadth of figures in the style of Fra Bartolomeo. His finest achievements can be seen in works like this, with a narrative content, full of highly individual stylized touches inspired by Pontormo.

This painting shows the solemn entrance of Charles VIII, King of France, to Florence on 17 November 1494, following the expulsion of the Medici, which took place on 9 November.