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Antonello da Messina

Antonello da Messina (1430-1479) was an Italian Renaissance painter who is widely considered to be one of the most influential artists of the 15th century. He is best known for his pioneering use of oil painting, which he introduced to Italy from the Netherlands. His work is characterized by a unique combination of realism and idealism, and his use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

Antonello was born in Messina, Sicily, in 1430. He was the son of a painter, and from an early age he was exposed to the art of painting. He studied under the local painter, Jacobello del Fiore, and later moved to Venice, where he was exposed to the works of the great Venetian painters such as Giovanni Bellini and Andrea Mantegna. It was in Venice that he was first exposed to the use of oil paints, which he quickly adopted and perfected.

Antonello's most famous works are his religious paintings, which often depict scenes from the Bible. His most famous painting is the "San Cassiano Altarpiece," which was painted in 1475 and is now housed in the National Gallery in London. This painting is considered to be one of the most important works of the Italian Renaissance. It is a large altarpiece depicting the Virgin Mary and Child surrounded by saints and angels. The painting is notable for its use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

Antonello was also a master of portraiture. He painted many portraits of the wealthy and powerful of his time, including the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza. His portraits are characterized by a realism and attention to detail that was unprecedented in the 15th century.

Antonello's influence on the art of the Renaissance was immense. He was one of the first Italian painters to use oil paints, and his use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and atmosphere was revolutionary. He was also one of the first painters to use a realistic style of portraiture, which was a major influence on later Renaissance painters such as Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci.

Antonello da Messina died in 1479, but his influence on the art of the Renaissance lives on. His pioneering use of oil paints and his realistic style of portraiture have had a lasting impact on the history of art. He is remembered as one of the most influential painters of the 15th century, and his works are still admired and studied today.