Introduction to Bartolomeo Montagna, a renowned Italian Renaissance painter, who mainly worked in Vicenza. He also produced works in Venice, Verona, and Padua, and is most famous for his many Madonnas and depiction of eccentric marble architecture.

Early Life and Career

Bartolomeo Montagna was born in 1450? in Italy. The first known written record of his existence is from 1459, which lists him as a minor. He later changed his name to Bartolomeo Montagna. His family originated in Brescia, Italy and later moved to Vicenza sometime by 1460. From 1469-1475, Montagna was in Venice before returning to Vicenza and starting his career as a painter.

Artistic Style

Montagna's works are characterized by a simple, laconic nature, with figures often appearing solemn and plastic in form. His first known documented commission was for two paintings for the Scuola Grande di San Marco in Venice. The next known record of Montagna's work is for an altarpiece in the hospital of Vicenza, of which the current whereabouts are also unknown.

Notable Works

Some of his notable works include The Virgin and Child with Saint Sebastian and Roch, which was his first extant painting, dated from September 1487. This small work, intended for private use, depicts the figures in a marble enclosure with a Vicentine landscape in the background. He also painted an altarpiece for the Certosa di Pavia showing the Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saint John the Baptist and Jerome. In 1491, he painted the altarpiece, the semi-dome, and other wall frescos for the oratory dedicated to St. Blaise at the church of Santi Nazaro e Celso in Verona.

• Influences: Montagna's works show influences from multiple artists, including Giovanni Bellini, in whose workshop he might have worked around 1470.
• Style: Montagna's style is characterized by the use of trachyte marble architecture and a particular positioning of the Virgin's hand, showing the middle and ring-finger touching and widely separated from the index and pinky finger.
• Legacy: Montagna's legacy continues to be celebrated through his works, which can be found in various museums, including the Castelvecchio Museum in Verona.

Conclusion Bartolomeo Montagna was a talented artist who left a lasting impact on the Italian Renaissance. His works continue to inspire and influence artists today. For more information on Bartolomeo Montagna, visit https://WahooArt.com/@/Bartolomeo-Montagna or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartolomeo_Montagna.