Luigi Anichini was a native of Ferrara, lived at Venice about 1550. His father Francesco Anichini and his brothers Andrea Anichini and Callisto Anichini were also goldsmiths. Francesco Anichini (fl. 1449–1526) had four sons who followed him in the art. He was the leading gem-cutter in Venice, taking commissions from Isabella d'Este and others.
Very little is known about him and about his life.
The Anichini family were leading carvers of engraved gems for seals and medals in Renaissance Italy.
He produced oregano instruments, was appreciated and praised by Tiziano and Pietro Aretino.
In 1531 Aretino wrote in a letter addressed to Massimiliano Stampa of his medal on which Mars was depicted. In another letter addressed to Anichini in 1537, he calls it "young".
It was connected with the court of Ferrara, where he lived until 1540. The relations continued even later: there is an Anichini letter from Ercole II d'Este , in which he regrets that he can not go in Ferrara because of work that forced him to stay in Venice.
His works have not been preserved, but some are known by correspondence letters: a "Ganimede", a seal with the "Medusa" for Aretino, both quoted by Aretino in various letters. Perhaps Anichini is a camouflage featuring the portrait of John of the Black Bands , also quoted in a letter by Pietro Aretino.
In Venice, in the Contarini collection, there was a stone with a "saintly Apollo".
Michelangelo pronounced his " Interview of Alexander the Great with the high-priest at Jerusalem, " "the perfection of the art. "
His medals of Henry II of France and Pope Paul III are greatly valued.
