Francesco Squarcione

Francesco Squarcione, born in 1397 in Padua, was a prominent Italian artist renowned for his contributions as a painter, embroiderer, and fresco painter. He is often regarded as the founder of the first independent school for painters, which played a pivotal role in the development of Renaissance art in Italy.

Among his notable pupils were illustrious figures such as Andrea Mantegna, with whom he had a tumultuous relationship marked by numerous legal disputes, as well as Cosimo Tura and Carlo Crivelli. These artists would go on to shape the future of painting, influenced by Squarcione's teachings and techniques.

Despite his significant impact on the art world, only two works are definitively attributed to Squarcione: the 'Madonna and Child,' currently housed in Berlin, and the 'Lazara Altarpiece,' located in Padua. These pieces reflect his artistic style and the skills he imparted to his students.