(1466-1560)
The foremost admiral of his era. Andrea Doria was a member of one of the oldest and most powerful families of Genoa. As a young adult, he served in the papal guard under Innocent VIII. In 1522, he joined the French forces of Francis I against the imperial army. But when the French gave commercial priority to Savona over Genoa, Andrea instead pledged his loyalty to Emperor Charles V. In 1528, with the help of the imperial army, Andrea drove the French out of Genoa, established a new republican constitution and declared himself its dictator. In 1547-1549, Andrea was able to suppress effectively the conspiracies against him carried out by the Fieschi and Cibo families. In 1559, once more with the aid of Charles V (before his death in 1558), he recovered Corsica for Genoa. Andrea's sumptuous palace became the locus of artistic activity, led by Perino del Vaga. Among the most notable artists to contribute to the renovation and decoration of Andrea's residence were il Pordenone and Domenico Beccafumi.
Historical dictionary of Renaissance art. Lilian H. Zirpolo. 2008.