Bartolommeo Bellano Paintings

Bartolommeo Bellano, also known as Bartolomeo Vellano of Padua, was an Italian sculptor and student of Donatello who was influential in the development of Renaissance sculpture. Born in Padua around 1430, Bellano's early life details are scarce, but his work eventually articulated the transition from the Gothic style to the more naturalistic approach characteristic of the Renaissance.

After studying under Donatello in Florence, Bellano's style began to reflect his master's robust and dynamic approach to sculpture. Donatello was a revolutionary artist of the time, and his influence on Bellano was profound, particularly in the use of perspective and psychological realism. Around the 1460s, after his apprenticeship, Bellano returned to Padua where he contributed to the local artistic scene, bringing with him the innovations he absorbed in Florence.

Bellano's works are known for their expressive intensity and technical skill. Notable among his works is the bronze statuette of David, which reveals both the influence of Donatello and Bellano's own creativity in the treatment of the figure. He also worked on the decorations for the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua and the Santo Stefano Church in Venice, where one of his most famous works, the terracotta statues representing the Crucifixion, can be found.

The precise date of Bellano's death is not known, but it is believed to have occurred in either 1496 or 1497. Despite the fact that Bellano's career was overshadowed by some of his contemporaries, his work remains an important link in understanding the progression of Italian Renaissance sculpture, as he helped disseminate the innovations of the Florentine school to the Veneto region.