Francesco Bacchiacca: A Florentine Master of Dramatic Emotion Born Francesco d’Ubertino Verdi in Florence on March 1, 1494, and known universally as il Bacchiacca (meaning “the hunchback” – a nickname referencing his prominent nose), this Italian painter stands as a pivotal figure bridging the late Renaissance and the burgeoning Mannerism. His life was inextricably linked to the vibrant artistic milieu of Florence, a city renowned for its patronage and innovative spirit. Bacchiacca’s career unfolded within a family already steeped in artistic tradition; his father, Ubertino di Bartolomeo, w…