Giorgio Vasari (1511–1574)

Giorgio Vasari, who wrote the life stories of many great Renaissance artists, some of whom he knew personally, is considered an invaluable primary source for historians as well as a founding father of art history writing.  As a painter, he's best remembered for the Sala Regia at the Vatican, and as an architect for the Uffizi Palace in Florence, which was begun in 1560. He is responsible for what is called the Vasari Corridor, which connects the Uffizi with the Palazzo Pitti on the other side of the river. Also contributed to work in Santa Maria Novella, Florence and the Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza della Signoria.