The Italian poet Guido Guinizzelli (ca.1230-1276) is considered a precursor of Dante and the originator of the so-called dolce stil novo, or sweet new style.

The son of Guinizzello da Magnano and Guglielmina di Ugolini Ghisilieri, Guido Guinizzelli was born in Bologna between 1230 and 1240, probably toward the end of the decade. He was a judge and married to Beatrice della Fratta; they had one son, Guiduccio. In 1274 he was banished from Bologna together with members of his family and other partisans of the Ghibelline faction of the Lambertazzi. They spent their time of exile in Monselice, where he died before Nov. 14, 1276.

The chronology of Guinizzelli's collection of canzoni and sonnets cannot be established, but his early poetry tends to be under the influence of Guittone d'Arezzo. Guittone's elaborate virtuosity of style is reflected in a sonnet which Guinizzelli wrote to him, addressing him as his "dear father...