MELOZZO DA FORLI (c.1438–1494)  ,

Italian painter, the first who practised foreshortening with much success, was born at Forli about 1438; he came, it is supposed, of a wealthy family named Ambrosi . In all probability, Melozzo studied painting under Piero de' Franceschi, of Borgo St Sepolcro; he seems also to have been well acquainted with Giovanni Santi, the father of Raphael . It has been said that he became a journeyman and colour-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 . (I) He painted in 1472 the vault of the chief 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 and148g'he executed a fresco, now transferred to canvas, and placed in the Vatican picture-gallery, representing the appointment of Platina by Pope Sixtus IV. as librarian of the restored Vatican library . (3) In the Collegio at Forli is a fresco by Melozzo, termed the " Peetapepe," or Pepper-grinder, originally painted as a grocer's sign; it is an energetic specimen of rather coarse realism, now much damaged . Melozzo also painted the cupola of the Capuchin church at Forli, destroyed in 1651; and it has been said that he executed at Urbino some of the portraits of great men (Plato, Dante, Sixtus IV., &c.) 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 . In Rome he was one of the original members of the• academy of St Luke, founded by Sixtus IV . He returned to Forli, probably towards 148o, and died in November 1494 . He contributed sensibly to the progress of pictorial art; and, without being remarkable as a colourist, 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 .