Andrea del Castagno was an Italian painter born near Florence around 1419.
Andrea del Castagno at a glance
- Born: Around 1419, near Florence, Italy
- Died: 1457, Florence
- Nationality: Italian
- Known for: Strong, lifelike figures and bold use of perspective
- Style or Movement: Early Italian Renaissance
- Medium: Fresco
- Notable works: The Last Supper at Sant’Apollonia (about 1447)
- Nickname: Andrea degli Impiccati, “Andrea of the Hanged Men”
“The detail and naturalism of this fresco portray the ways in which he departed from earlier artistic styles.”
He was influenced by Masaccio and Giotto di Bondone and became a prominent figure in the Florentine Renaissance. In 1440, he moved to Florence under the protection of Bernadetto de’ Medici, where he painted portraits of citizens hanged after the Battle of Anghiari on the facade of the Palazzo del Podestà, earning the nickname “Andrea degli Impiccati” (Andrea of the Hanged Men). His works include frescoes in Sant’Apollonia in Florence and the painted equestrian monument of Niccolò da Tolentino in the Cathedral. He also worked in Venice, executing frescoes in the San Tarasio Chapel and St. Mark’s Basilica. In 1447, he painted his famous Last Supper in the refectory of Sant’Apollonia, which displayed his talents at their best and likely influenced Leonardo da Vinci’s later work on the same subject.
- Born around 1419 near Florence.
- Nicknamed “Andrea degli Impiccati” for painting hanged men.
- Painted Last Supper at Sant’Apollonia in 1447.
- Worked in Venice at St. Mark’s Basilica.
- Influenced the Ferrarese school of painting.
His early works included the fresco of Crucifixion and Saints in the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova, which showed the influence of Masaccio. He also designed a stained window with Deposition for the local Cathedral and became a member of the Guild of the Medicians in 1445. He painted the fresco of Madonna with Child and Santi in the Contini Bonacossi Collection. His combination of scenes in the Last Supper, accompanied by depictions of the Passion, was not known to have been represented before. The detail and naturalism of this work departed from earlier artistic styles, and it is likely that Leonardo da Vinci was familiar with it before painting his own version. He died in 1457, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most important painters of his generation.
His influence extended to the Ferrarese school of Cosmè Tura, Francesco del Cossa, and Ercole de’ Roberti. His work is celebrated for its perspective-oriented construction and figures, which reflected his connection to the artistic traditions of Masaccio and Giotto. He remains a significant figure in the history of Renaissance art, and his contributions to the development of fresco painting continue to be studied and admired. His works are held in collections and museums across Italy, and his legacy endures as a master of the early Renaissance. He is remembered for his ability to combine naturalism with emotional depth, creating works that continue to captivate audiences today.