Bernardo parentino, santa scolastica, 1496 ca

Bernardo Parentino was an Italian painter who was born in Padua around 1450 and died in Venice around 1500. He is known for his work as a miniaturist, illuminator and panel painter. Parentino was trained in the workshop of Francesco Squarcione in Padua, where he learnt the techniques of fresco painting and the use of gold leaf. He later worked in the workshop of Andrea Mantegna in Mantua, where he refined his skills in perspective and composition. Parentino's most famous work is the choir book for the Basilica of San Marco in Venice, which he illuminated with gold and bright colours. He also painted several altarpieces for churches in Padua and Venice, including the Madonna and Child with Saints for the Church of San Francesco in Padua. Parentino's style was influenced by the Renaissance masters of his time, including Mantegna and Giovanni Bellini. His works are characterised by vivid colours, intricate detail and the use of gold leaf. Despite his skill as an artist, Parentino struggled to make a living and was often in debt. He died in poverty in Venice around 1500. Today, his works can be found in museums and collections around the world, including the National Gallery in London and the Louvre in Paris.