PERUG1170, a celebrated Italian painter, whose real name was PIETRO VANNUCCI, was b. at Chia deila Picve ia Umbria, about 1446, but having afterwards established himself in the neighboring and more important city of Perugia, where he had the right of citi zenship, he is commonly called II Pei-Remo. It is generally thought that he studied under Andrea Verocchio at Florence. He executed numerous excellent works in various cities, particularly in Florence, Siena, Pavia, Naples, Bologna, Rome, and Perugia. Sixtus IV. employed him in the eapella Sistine; and his fresco of "Christ giving thb keys to Peter" is by far the best of those painted on the side-walls of that chapel. He also, along with other contemporary painters, decorated the Stanze of the Vatican; and his works there are the only frescos that were spared when Raphael was commissioned to substitute his works for those formerly painted on the walls and ceilings. The fact of his having had Raphael for his pupil has no doubt, in one way, increased the reputa tion of Perugino, but it has also in some degree tended to lessen it, as in many of Peru gino's best productions, the work of Raphael is confidently pointed out by connoisseurs. and, indeed, many important pictures, at one time acknowledged as his, are now ascribed to his great pupil. His high standing as a painter, however, is established by many admirable works, in which no hand superior to his own could have operated; and, with the exception, perhaps, of Francia, who in some respects is esteemed his equal, he is now acknowledged as the ablest of the masters of that section of the early Italian school iu which religious feeling is expressed with great tenderness, in pictures remarkable for delicate execution. Perugino's works are also distinguished by rich and warm coloring.
Au excellent example of this master's work may be studied in the collection of the national gallery, London—" No. 288. The Virgin Adoring the Infant Christ." Peru gino's, reputation was high, when the introduction of the cinquecento style, by Leonardo and Michael Angelo, tended to throw into the shade the art of the earlier masters. Dis putes ran high between the leaders of the old and new styles, and Michael Angelo is said to have spoken contemptuously of Perugino's powers. This, of course, has biased Vasari's opinion in his estimate of the opponent of his idol, but Perugino's reputation now stands very high. and his works are areativ esteemed. Raphael was about 12 veers of age when he was entered as a pupil with Perugino, who was then (1495) engaged on the frescos in the Sala del Cambia (the Exchange) at Perugia. Perugino died at Cas tello di Fontignano, near Perugia, in 1524.