Orazio Porta

Orazio Porta (1540–1612) was a Mannerist painter and architect born in Monte San Savino. A pupil and collaborator of Giorgio Vasari, he worked extensively with him on the decoration of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and on other commissions for the Medici court. Active mainly in the Valdichiana area, Porta left numerous artistic works in Monte San Savino, including altars and paintings in the churches of Sant’Agostino, Sant’Antonio, and Santa Maria delle Vertighe.

In the early 17th century, he renovated the Church of San Giovanni, relocating Andrea Sansovino’s Renaissance portal from its original position in the cloister of Sant’Agostino to the façade facing Piazza Di Monte. His style is distinguished by compositional balance and refined use of color, typical of late Mannerism.