Tommaso Redi's father was employed at the Medici court in Florence, which brought his son into contact with the court painter Anton Domenico Gabbiani at an early age. From the age of eighteen, Redi was trained in Gabbiani's workshop. From about 1690, Redi continued his training in Rome, financially supported by Cosimo III de' Medici. Redi returned to Florence around 1700 and worked for the Medici until the end of his life. He even turned down an offer from Tsar Peter the Great to become director of the newly founded Academy of Arts in Moscow. Redi specialised in religious painting and histories. His works can still be found in numerous churches in Florence and Tuscany. Redi's proximity to the Medici court brought him into contact with diplomats, travellers and foreign collectors. Redi painted scenes with antique motifs for English patrons. For the French collector Pierre Crozat he made copies of Florentine painters such as Pontormo, which served as models for prints. Redi died shortly after he had begun a journey through Italy with an English friend, during which he wanted to study the art of the Old Masters.