Andrea Mantegna

Biography

Andrea Mantegna was born in 1431 on the island of Isola Mantegna. He was a prominent painter and printmaker of the early Italian Renaissance and a representative of the Paduan school of painting. From 1460, his creative activity was closely linked to the city of Mantua, where he died on September 13, 1506. Historically, Mantegna was known by the nicknames “Squarcione” and “Andrea da Padova.” A distinct characteristic of his painting style is his expressive, rigid, almost graphic manner of execution. In terms of genre, Mantegna worked in allegory, history painting, religious art, animal and mythological painting, as well as portraits and religious painting. Among his significant works are “Triumphs of Caesar,” “Parnassus,” the central panel of the altarpiece of San Zeno, “The Death of the Virgin,” “The Dead Christ,” and “Saint Mark the Evangelist.” In addition to painting, Mantegna was also known as a printmaker, copper engraver, draftsman, sculptor, and manuscript illuminator. He was associated with the movements of the Italian Renaissance and the Renaissance in general. Nationally and culturally, he belonged to the Venetian Republic.