Vincenzo was born at Palermo towards the end of the 15th century. After having studied the works of Perugino and other masters in his native town, he went to Rome. There he came under the influence of Raphael, whose works had a great impact on his style, although it is not known if he was actually his pupil. Vincenzo left the city in 1527 at the time of the its pillage and returned to Sicily, going first to Messina and then on to Palermo, where he lived until his death.