Master of the Die Biography
The anonymous Italian master, called Master of the Die for the small die with which he signed his prints, was active in Rome from 1532-1550. He worked as an artist in the workshop of Marcantonio Raimondi. Raimondi was a well-known Italian engraver and printmaker who was famous for being an early adopter of the tradition of creating prints copying paintings. He had a close relationship with Raphael. It is of no surprise, then, that the Master of the Die worked in the style of Raphael. A high level of skill and productivity is noticeable in his works.