Andrea Mantegna The Presentaion in the Temple Painting ID:: 26711 new2/Andrea Mantegna-753746.jpg
The Presentaion in the Temple mk52
c.1460
Tempera on canvas
68.9x86.3cm
Gemaldegalerie,Berlin
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna Portrait of Carlo de'Medici Painting ID:: 29792 new3/Andrea Mantegna-675368.jpg
Portrait of Carlo de'Medici mk67
Tempera on panel
16x11 7/16in
Uffizi,Gallery
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna Triptych Painting ID:: 29793 new3/Andrea Mantegna-477646.jpg
Triptych mk67
Tempera on panel
33 7/8x63 9/16in
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna Madonna and Child Painting ID:: 29794 new3/Andrea Mantegna-239328.jpg
Madonna and Child mk67
Tempera and panel
11 7/8x8 7/16in
Uffizi,Gallery
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna Adoration of the Magi Painting ID:: 30423 new4/Andrea Mantegna-985468.jpg
Adoration of the Magi mk68
Tempera on wood
Florence,Uffizi.
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna Crucifixion,from the San Zeno Altarpiece Painting ID:: 30424 new4/Andrea Mantegna-282527.jpg
Crucifixion,from the San Zeno Altarpiece mk68
Tempera on wood
26 1/2x36 1/2
Paris.
Louvre
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna Portrait of Cardinal de'Medici Painting ID:: 30429 new4/Andrea Mantegna-357889.jpg
Portrait of Cardinal de'Medici mk68
Tempera on wood
16x11 1/2
Florence,Uffizi,
c.1466
ltaly
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna Family and Court of Ludovico Gonzaga Painting ID:: 30430 new4/Andrea Mantegna-689637.jpg
Family and Court of Ludovico Gonzaga mk68
Fresco
Mantua,
Ducal Palace,Camera Picta
1465-1474
ltaly
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna Ceiling Oculus Painting ID:: 30433 new4/Andrea Mantegna-624286.jpg
Ceiling Oculus mk68
Fresco,diameter of central part
Mantua Ducal Palace
Camera Picta
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna Foreshortened Christ Painting ID:: 30438 new4/Andrea Mantegna-556392.jpg
Foreshortened Christ mk68
Tempera on canvas
26 3/4x32"
Milan,Brera Gallery
c.1480
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna The adoration of the Konige Painting ID:: 38455 new12/LEONARDO da Vinci-534465.jpg
The adoration of the Konige mk137
ca.1497-1500 Tempera and gold on linen 54.6x70cm
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna Servant with horse and dog Painting ID:: 38490 new12/Andrea Mantegna-923696.jpg
Servant with horse and dog mk137
1471-1474 fresco Camera Picta, Palazzo Ducale, Mantua
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna Would baptize Christs Painting ID:: 38541 new12/Andrea Mantegna-886756.jpg
Would baptize Christs mk137
ca.1500-1505 Tempera on linen 228x175cm church SAINT Andrea, Mantua
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna St Sebastian Painting ID:: 39582 new12/Andrea Mantegna-243588.jpg
St Sebastian mk150
c.1459
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna Death of the Virgin Painting ID:: 40204 new12/Andrea Mantegna-797246.jpg
Death of the Virgin mk156
c.1461
Oil on panel
54x42cm
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna Agony in the Garden Painting ID:: 40216 new12/Andrea Mantegna-589599.jpg
Agony in the Garden mk156
c.1459
Oil on panel
Musee des Beaux-Arts de Tours.
Tours
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna Portrait of Carlo de Medici Painting ID:: 40220 new12/Andrea Mantegna-338783.jpg
Portrait of Carlo de Medici mk156
1467
Oil on panel
40.6x29.5cm
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna Camera Picta,Ducal Palace Painting ID:: 40222 new12/Andrea Mantegna-252753.jpg
Camera Picta,Ducal Palace mk156
1465-1474
Fresco
Palazzo Ducale
Mantova
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna Madonna and child Painting ID:: 40255 new12/Andrea Mantegna-987372.jpg
Madonna and child mk156
1485
Oil on panel
29x21.5cm
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna The Lamentation over the Dead Christ Painting ID:: 40263 new12/Andrea Mantegna-985897.jpg
The Lamentation over the Dead Christ mk156
c.1490
Tempera on canvas
68x81cm
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna St.Sebastian Painting ID:: 41192 new16/Andrea Mantegna-527797.jpg
St.Sebastian mk157
1504-6
Canvas
210x91cm
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna Adoration of the Shepherds Painting ID:: 41271 new16/Andrea Mantegna-455863.jpg
Adoration of the Shepherds mk161
Tempera on canvas
transferred from wood
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna The Madonna and the Nino Painting ID:: 41955 new16/Andrea Mantegna-932839.jpg
The Madonna and the Nino mk166
1489-1490
Tempera on board of wood
29x21.5cm Uffizi, Florence
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna A Bacchanal with Silenus Painting ID:: 42263 new16/Andrea Mantegna-236225.jpg
A Bacchanal with Silenus mk168
Engraving
292x448mm
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna A Bacchanal with silengus Painting ID:: 42264 new16/Andrea Mantegna-966754.jpg
A Bacchanal with silengus mk168
298x435mm
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna Innsbruck Seen From the North Painting ID:: 42265 new16/Andrea Mantegna-349596.jpg
Innsbruck Seen From the North mk168
127x187mm
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna Landscape near Segonzano in the Cembra Valley Painting ID:: 42266 new16/Andrea Mantegna-458526.jpg
Landscape near Segonzano in the Cembra Valley mk168
Watercolor on paper
210x312mm
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $89
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $109
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $139
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $169
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $249
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $459
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $99
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $119
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $159
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $199
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $269
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$469
Andrea Mantegna The Battle of the Sea Gods Painting ID:: 42267 new16/Andrea Mantegna-972496.jpg
The Battle of the Sea Gods mk168
Engraving in two parts
313x438mm
Please Select Standard Painting Size
high quality:16x20 (40x51cm)
= $65
high quality:20x24 (51x61cm)
= $85
high quality:24x36 (61x91cm)
= $129
high quality:30x40 (76x102cm)
= $139
high quality:36x48 (91x122cm)
= $209
high quality:48x72 (122x182cm)
= $389
museum quality:16x20
(40x51cm) = $69
museum quality:20x24
(51x61cm) = $89
museum quality:24x36
(61x91cm) = $139
museum quality:30x40
(76x102cm) = $149
museum quality:36x48
(91x122cm) = $219
museum quality:48x72(122x182cm)=$399
Andrea Mantegna THe Infant Christ Painting ID:: 42270 new16/Andrea Mantegna-638882.jpg
THe Infant Christ mk168
1495
Pen and ink on paper
175x216mm
Next Artist
Andrea Mantegna
Italian
1431-1506
Andrea Mantegna Locations
Mantegna was born in Isola di Carturo, close to Padua in the Republic of Venice, second son of a carpenter, Biagio. At the age of eleven he became the apprentice of Francesco Squarcione, Paduan painter. Squarcione, whose original vocation was tailoring, appears to have had a remarkable enthusiasm for ancient art, and a faculty for acting. Like his famous compatriot Petrarca, Squarcione was something of a fanatic for ancient Rome: he travelled in Italy, and perhaps Greece, amassing antique statues, reliefs, vases, etc., forming a collection of such works, then making drawings from them himself, and throwing open his stores for others to study. All the while, he continued undertaking works on commission for which his pupils no less than himself were made available.
San Zeno Altarpiece, (left panel), 1457-60; San Zeno, VeronaAs many as 137 painters and pictorial students passed through Squarcine's school, which had been established towards 1440 and which became famous all over Italy. Padua was attractive for artists coming not only from Veneto but also from Tuscany, such as Paolo Uccello, Filippo Lippi and Donatello. Mantegna's early career was shaped indeed by impressions of Florentine works. At the time, Mantegna was said to be a favorite pupil; Squarcione taught him the Latin language, and instructed him to study fragments of Roman sculpture. The master also preferred forced perspective, the lingering results of which may account for some Mantegna's later innovations. However, at the age of seventeen, Mantegna separated himself from Squarcione. He later claimed that Squarcione had profited from his work without paying the rights.
His first work, now lost, was an altarpiece for the church of Santa Sofia in 1448. The same year Mantegna was called, together with Nicol?? Pizolo, to work with a large group of painters entrusted with the decoration of the Ovetari Chapel in the apse of the church of Eremitani. It is probable, however, that before this time some of the pupils of Squarcione, including Mantegna, had already begun the series of frescoes in the chapel of S. Cristoforo, in the church of Sant'Agostino degli Eremitani, today considered his masterpiece. After a series of coincidences, Mantegna finished most of the work alone, though Ansuino, who collaborated with Mantegna in the Ovetari Chapel, brought his style in the Forl?? school of painting. The now censorious Squarcione carped about the earlier works of this series, illustrating the life of St James; he said the figures were like men of stone, and had better have been colored stone-color at once.
This series was almost entirely lost in the 1944 Allied bombings of Padua. The most dramatic work of the fresco cycle was the work set in the worm's-eye view perspective, St. James Led to His Execution. (For an example of Mantegna's use of a lowered view point, see the image at right of Saints Peter and Paul; though much less dramatic in its perspective that the St. James picture, the San Zeno altarpiece was done shortly after the St. James cycle was finished, and uses many of the same techniques, including the classicizing architectural structure.)
San Luca Altarpiece, 1453; Tempera on panel; Pinacoteca di Brera, MilanThe sketch of the St. Stephen fresco survived and is the earliest known preliminary sketch which still exists to compare to the corresponding fresco. Despite the authentic look of the monument, it is not a copy of any known Roman structure. Mantegna also adopted the wet drapery patterns of the Romans, who derived the form from the Greek invention, for the clothing of his figures, although the tense figures and interactions are derived from Donatello. The drawing shows proof that nude figures were used in the conception of works during the Early Renaissance. In the preliminary sketch, the perspective is less developed and closer to a more average viewpoint however.
Among the other early Mantegna frescoes are the two saints over the entrance porch of the church of Sant'Antonio in Padua, 1452, and an altarpiece of St. Luke and other saints (at left) for the church of S. Giustina, now in the Brera Gallery in Milan (1453). As the young artist progressed in his work, he came under the influence of Jacopo Bellini, father of the celebrated painters Giovanni and Gentile, and of a daughter Nicolosia. In 1453 Jacopo consented to a marriage between Nicolosia to Mantegna in marriage.