He was born, apparently in
Tuscany, perhaps in
Lucca, from a
Parmesan family of ancient Langobard origin, known as Anselmi di Cardano. He moved to
Siena around 1500, where he is mentioned as painter for the first time in 1511. He was a pupil of
Il Sodoma and
Domenico Beccafumi. He arrived in Parma around 1515. There, he painted frescoes including several decorations in
San Giovanni Evangelista, and an altarpiece for the
Duomo. In about 1530, he painted
Madonna with Saint Sebastian and Saint Roch (now in the National Gallery at Parma). He painted a
Baptism of Christ for the Church of
San Prospero in
Reggio Emilia. Together with his contemporary
Rondani he painted a narrative fresco series on the
Life of the Virgin for the
Oratorio della Concezione in Parma. Anselmi also painted
Holy Family with Saint Barbara (; now in the National Gallery of Parma). In 1541, he decorated the apse of the church of the
Steccata in Parma according to a design, not of
Parmigianino who had once been employed in this task, but of
Giulio Romano. He also painted an
Adoration of the Magi, which after Anselmi's death was completed by
Bernardino Gatti. ==Selected works==