Melozzo da Forlì

Pope Sixtus IV appoints Bartolomeo Platina prefect of the Vatican Library, ca 1477 (fresco) (Vatican Museums)

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Melozzo da Forlì (c. 1438-1494), Italian painter, the first who practised foreshortening with much success, was born at Forlì about 1438; he came, it is supposed, of a wealthy family named Ambrosi. In all probability, Melozzo studied painting under Piero della Francesca, of Borgo San Sepolcro; he seems also to have been well acquainted with Giovanni Sanzio, the father of Raphael.

Related Topics:
Forlì - Piero della Francesca - Borgo San Sepolcro - Giovanni Sanzio - Raphael

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He was a most important member of the Forlì painting school".

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It has been said that he became a journeyman and color-grinder to some of the best masters, in order to prosecute his studies; this lacks confirmation. Only three works are extant which can safely be assigned to Melozzo: those in the Louvre, the National Gallery, London, and the Barberini Palace, Rome, are disputable,

Related Topics:
Louvre - National Gallery, London - Barberini Palace

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• (1) In 1472 he painted the vault of the main chapel in the church of the Apostoli in Rome, his subject being the "Ascension of Christ"; the figure of Christ is so boldly and effectively foreshortened that it seems to "burst through the vaulting"; this fresco was taken down in 1711, and the figure of Christ is now in the Quirinal Palace, not worthy of special admiration save in its perspective quality; while some of the other portions, almost Raphaelesque in merit, are in the sacristy of St Peter's.
• (2) Between 1475 and 1480 he executed a fresco, now transferred to canvas, and placed in the Vatican picture-gallery, representing the appointment of Bartolomeo Platina by Sixtus IV as librarian of the restored Vatican library.
• (3) In the Museum ("Pinacoteca") at Forlì is a fresco by Melozzo, termed the "Pestapepe", or Pepper-grinder, originally painted as a grocer's sign; it is an energetic specimen of rather coarse realism, now much damaged. It's the only non-religious subject by Melozzo.

Melozzo also painted the cupola of the Capuchin church at Forlì, destroyed in 1651; and it has been said that he executed at Urbino some of the portraits of great men (Plato, Dante, Sixtus IV., etc.) which are now divided between the Barberini Palace and the Campana collection in Paris; this, however, is doubtful, and it is even questionable whether Melozzo was ever at Urbino.

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In Rome he was one of the original members of the academy of St Luke, founded by Sixtus IV. He returned to Forlì, probably towards 1480, and died in November 1494. He contributed sensibly to the progress of pictorial art; and, without being remarkable as a colorist, gave well graded lights, with general care and finish, and fine dignified figures. His works bear a certain resemblance to those of his contemporary Mantegna. Marco Palmezzano was his pupil; and the signature "Marcus de Melotius" on some of Palmezzano's works, along with the general affinity of style, has led to their being ascribed to Melozzo, who has hence been incorrectly called "Marco Melozzo".

Related Topics:
Mantegna - Marco Palmezzano

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