PINTURICCHIO, (It., little painter) (1454-1513). The name commonly ap plied to Bernardino di Betto, an Italian paint er of the Umbrian school (early Renaissance). lie was born at Perugia, where he studied under Fio•enzo di Lorenzo, later reflecting many of the mannerisms of his contempo rary Perugino. The latitude of his sub jects and the distinctly illustrative and historical character of many of them have rendered him fa mous as the historical painter of the Umbrian school. Though using the Umbrian forms, which catered to mediwval tradition, Pintnricchio's works reflect the humanistic spirit of the times. They are mainly frescoes, highly decorative in style, and not without charm of color. As com pared with Perugino, Pinturiechio lacks char acter and dramatic vigor; but he is less conscious and does not fatigue by monotony. In 1434 the artist was engaged as assistant to Perugino in fresco work in the Sistine Chapel. The "Adora tion of the Shepherds" in Santa Maria del Popolo and decorations in the Palazzo Belvedere and Palazzo di San Apostolo, Rome, were executed before 1491. Between 1491 and 1501 he pro duced frescoes in the Cathedral of Orvieto; in the Vatican, Rome; the series illustrating the life of San Bernardino, in the Bufalini Chapel, Araen'li, Ronne; and the "Madonna" in the Peru gia Academy. At SpeIlo, near Foligno, he left
numerous works by himself and his 11111111 A. In 1502 Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini intrusted to him the decoration of the cathedral library at Siena. These frescoes, depicting the life of _Eneas Sylvius PiccoIontini (Pope Pius , called upon the artist for the display of his talent in ceremo nial composition. The commission was completed in 150S, with the aid of many assistants, among whom Was Paphael, who came to Siena in 1503.
The late works of Pinturicchio show a baste and carelessness that would tend to substantiate the accusation that his love of gain got the better of his love of art. lie died in Siena, December 11, 1513.
Consult: Morelli, Italian Musters in German Galleries, translated (London, 1883) ; Venni glioli, .11onoric di Bernardino Pint urieehio (Pe rugia, 1837) ; Schmarsow. leaffael and Pinturie chi() in Siena (Stuttgart, 1880) ; id., Bernardino PiHlurleehio in Home (ib., 1ti52): Eltrle and Stevenson, Gli affresehi del Pint uricehio nen' appartamento Borgia (Rome, 1897) ; Steinmann, Pinturicchio (Leipzig, 1898) ; Ricci, Pinturie chio: his Life, Work, and Time (London, 1902).