IL

MORETTO (" The Blackamoor," a

See also:

• TERM

term which has not been particularly accounted for)  , the name currently bestowed upon ALESSANDRO BONVICINO (1498-1554), a celebrated painter of Brescia, Venetian school . He was born at Rovato, in the Brescian territory, in 1498, and studied, first under Fioravante Ferramola of Brescia, afterwards, still youthful, with Titian in Venice . His own earlier method, specially distinguished by excellent portrait-painting, was naturally modelled on that of Titian . Afterwards he conceived a great enthusiasm for Raphael (though he does not appear to have ever gone to Rome), and his style became partially Raphaelesque . It was, however, novel in its combination of diverse elements, and highly attractive—with fine pencilling, a rich yet not lavish use of perspective and decorative effects, and an elegant opposition of light and shade . The human figure is somewhat slender in Bonvicino's paintings, the expression earnestly religious, the flesh-tints varied, more so than was common in the Venetian school . The backgrounds are generally luminous, and the draperies well modified in red and yellow tints with little inter-mixture of blue . The depth of Bonvicino's talent, however, was hardly in proportion to its vigour and vivacity; and he excelled more in sedate altarpieces than in subjects of action, and more in oil-painting than in fresco, although some fine series of his frescoes remain, especially that in the villa Martinengo at Novarino, near Brescia . Among his celebrated works in the city are—in the church of S . Clemente, the " Five Virgin Martyrs," and the " Assumption of the Madonna " (this latter may count as his masterpiece); in S . Nazaro e Celso, the " Coro-nation of the Madonna "; in S . Maria della Grazie, " St Joseph "; in S .

Maria de' Miracoli, " St

Nicholas of Bari." In the Vienna Gallery is a " St Justina " (once ascribed to Pordenone); in the Stadel Institute, Frankfort, the " Madonna enthroned between Sts Anthony and Sebastian "; in the Berlin Museum, a colossal " Adoration of the Shepherds," and a large votive picture (one of the master's best) of the " Madonna and Child," with infant angels and other figures above the clouds, and below, amid a rich landscape, two priests; in the National Gallery, London, St Bemardin and other saints and two impressive portraits . Il Moretto is stated to have been a man of child-like personal piety, preparing himself by prayer and fasting for any great act of sacred art, such as the painting of the Virgin-mother . His dated works extend from 1524 to 1554, and he was the master of the pre-eminent portrait-painter Moroni . He died on the 22nd of December 1554 .