Giovanni (1430) Bellini

(b 1426; d 1516) Giovanni Bellini and his older brother Gentile are considered the founders of the Venetian school of painting, though Giovanni became the better known artist. He was influenced by the Paduan school and fellow artist Mantegna and Antonello da Messina. One of the first Italian artists to master the techniques of oil painting used by the Flemish, Giovanni’s landscapes became softer, brighter and more expressive. After establishing a large workshop, Giovanni took on commissions for altarpieces, Madonnas and portraits, including an important portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredan of Venice. He became a very influential teacher and his pupils included other great Venetian artists such as Titian and Giorgione.