LIBERALE, ANTONIO (c. 1445-1526), Italian painter of the Veronese school. He was educated as a miniature painter. Leaving Verona soon of ter 1465, he worked three years at Monte Oliveto, near Siena, on the illustration of liturgical books. These are now preserved at Chiusi. From 1470 to 1476 he was employed on similar work for the cathedral of Siena. He was back in Verona in 1488 and worked there until his death. His earliest known picture is the "Madonna with Saints," in the Berlin gallery. It is dated 1489 and is the only signed work of the master extant. In 1490 he completed the "Adoration of the Magi" for the Cathedral of Verona. Another early work is the predella with the "Nativity," the "Epiphany" and the "Death of the Virgin" in the bishop's palace at Verona. These works are executed in the style of minia ture painting, both as regards line and colour. Other notable works are: St. Anthony of Padua in S. Fermo, Verona, and the St. Jerome in the Museo Civico. Of three or four versions of "Christ entombed," the fresco in S. Anastasia at Verona, and the altar-piece in S. Leo at Venice are the most impressive. The
Munich Pinakothek contains a "Pieta" full of genuine pathos. The master's delight in architecture is displayed in the "St. Sebas tian," standing against the background of a Venetian canal, in the Brera gallery, and in the "Dido on the Pyre" surrounded by Renaissance arcades in the National Gallery, London. Especially notable among the many and varied peculiarities of his style are his strongly defined outline and the rounded character of his contours. His figures are inspired with intense emotion. Liberale's position in the school of Verona is similar to that of Mantegna in the school of Padua, of Cosimo Tura in that of Ferrara; like these masters he was at the head of a large body of pupils and disciples.