Andrea Mantegna

Andrea Mantegnawas born in 1431 on Dicarturo Island in a modest family. His father couldn't afford the education of his son and so Mantegna was adopted by the painter Francesco Squarcione; this way he joined the Guild of Painters of Padova.

In 1448 the young artist wanted to be indipendent from his Master, so they signed an agreement to maintain only the economic support. The same year Mantegna realized a polyptych for the Church of Saint Sophie in Padova and he receives also an important commission: to decorate the Ovetari Chapel in the Church of Eremitani. From this moment on he obtained a great success and many other commissions.

In 1453 he married the sister of Giovanni and Gentile Bellini and he painted Saint Lucas' altar piece for the monks of Saint Giustina in Padova. After three years he was invited by the Marquise of Mantova, Ludovico Gonzaga and he became Court Painter. He visited Florence and Pisa and when he came back Mantova he dedicated himself to the famous Bedroom of Newlyweds which was ultimated in 1474.

When the Marquise died Mantegna overcame financial difficulties thanks to Francesco II. In 1485 he began painting the Triumph of Cesar which was interrupted  when he moved to Rome to decorate the private chapel of Innocenzo VIII in Vatican (destroyed in 1780). 

In spite of his old age he worked very much realizing many altar pieces. He painted also Parnassus (1947)  and The Triumph of Virtues (1502) for Isabella d'Este, the wife of Francesco Gonzaga

Mantegna suddenly died in 1906 leaving incomplete The Fairytale of Chrome. He was buried in his funeral chapel in Saint Andrea.

2 Items

per page
Set Descending Direction

2 Items

per page
Set Descending Direction
PISACANE ARTE - Viale Monza, 55 20125 - Milano Tel. 02. 39521644 P. IVA 07851620968 galleria@pisacanearte.it