Francesco Poppi: The Shadowy Genius of Florentine Mannerism Francesco Poppi (c. 1544–1597) remains a figure shrouded in mystery, yet his impact on Renaissance art—particularly the frescoes adorning San Francesco Basilica in Siena—is undeniable. Born in Poppi, Tuscany, he emerged from obscurity as a protégé of Vincenzo Borghini and Giorgio Vasari, immersing himself in the artistic fervor of Florence during its golden age. While biograp…