Pinturicchio

Bernardino di Betto, known as Pinturicchio (Perugia 1454-1460, Siena 1513), had an artistic career crowned by great achievements, demonstrated by his continual activity as artist under five Popes: from Sisto IV to Giulio II, to Innocent VIII and Alexander VI, of whom he was the favourite artist, and the very brief pontificate of Pius III, already his commissioner for the Libreria Piccolomini in Siena. He was unjustly confined for a long time to a secondary position in the art scene, because of negative judgements, or at least somewhat limited. Finally, at the end of the nineteenth century, he was able to acquire fame, thanks largely to foreign art critics.

An attentive, impartial examination of his works reveals a very original artist with a multifaceted personal figurative language, which blends minute traces of Flemish art and late gothic elegance, with innovative Renaissance geometry and impressive sceneries.

His unfavourable reviews are strictly related to his success. He had an uncommon managerial capacity and was involved in numerous and large cycles of frescoes, compelling him to use many apprentices with varied artistic talent. This was the cause of the frequent  disparity  of quality found in his works. However, with easel painting, performed exclusively by him, he was able to reach exceptional levels of quality, widely appreciated by International collectors. His autographic works are found in the most important museums in the world from Russia to Hawaii.