# Luca Signorelli

> Italian Renaissance painter (c.1450-1523)

**Wikidata**: [Q7031](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7031)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luca_Signorelli)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/luca-signorelli

## Summary
Luca Signorelli was an Italian Renaissance painter active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, known for his religious and mythological works. He is particularly celebrated for his contributions to Renaissance painting, including notable works such as the *Communion of the Apostles* and the *Polyptych of Saints*, which are held in prominent museums across Italy.

## Biography
- Born: c. 1450 (exact location unknown)
- Nationality: Italian
- Education: Trained under Pietro di Domenico (1457–1506), an Italian painter
- Known for: Religious and mythological paintings, including frescoes and altarpieces
- Employer(s): Worked for the House of della Rovere, a noble family in Italy
- Field(s): Painting, draftsperson

## Contributions
- *Sant'Onofrio Altarpiece* (1484): A religious painting executed for the Church of Sant'Onofrio in Cortona.
- *The Holy Family di Parte Guelfa* (1490): A religious composition depicting the Holy Family.
- *Lamentation over the Dead Christ* (1502): A mournful depiction of Christ’s burial.
- *Communion of the Apostles* (1512): A significant religious work held in the Diocesan Museum in Cortona.
- *Polyptych of Saints* (1507): A multi-panel painting displayed in the Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan.
- *Testament and Death of Moses* (1482): A fresco co-created with Bartolomeo della Gatta in the Sistine Chapel.
- *Crucifixion of Christ* (1502): A religious painting in the Museo Civico di Sansepolcro.
- *Madonna and Child* (1492): A religious artwork in the Alte Pinakothek, Munich.
- *The Birth of St. John the Baptist* (1500): A religious painting depicting the baptism of John the Baptist.
- *Portrait of a Man* (1492): A portrait painting, possibly of a nobleman.

## FAQs
- **Where did Luca Signorelli work?** He worked for the House of della Rovere and contributed to religious and mythological paintings across Italy.
- **What are some of Luca Signorelli’s most famous paintings?** Notable works include the *Communion of the Apostles*, *Polyptych of Saints*, and *Lamentation over the Dead Christ*.
- **Who were Luca Signorelli’s collaborators?** He worked with Pietro Perugino and Bartolomeo della Gatta on certain projects.
- **Where are Luca Signorelli’s paintings displayed?** His works are housed in museums such as the Diocesan Museum in Cortona, the Pinacoteca di Brera, and the Alte Pinakothek.

## Why They Matter
Luca Signorelli played a crucial role in the development of Renaissance painting, particularly in religious and mythological themes. His works, such as the *Communion of the Apostles*, are considered significant contributions to the artistic movement of his time. His influence extended to later artists and helped shape the visual language of Renaissance art in Italy.

## Notable For
- Co-created the *Testament and Death of Moses* fresco in the Sistine Chapel (1482).
- Authored the *Polyptych of Saints*, a multi-panel religious painting (1507).
- Produced the *Crucifixion of Christ* for the Museo Civico di Sansepolcro (1502).
- Painted the *Madonna and Child* for the Alte Pinakothek (1492).
- Designed the *Portrait of a Man*, possibly a nobleman (1492).

## Body
### Early Life and Training
Luca Signorelli was born around 1450, though his exact birthplace is unknown. He trained under Pietro di Domenico, another Italian painter, refining his skills in religious and mythological compositions.

### Career and Major Works
Signorelli’s career spanned several decades, during which he created numerous religious and mythological paintings. His works often depicted biblical scenes and were commissioned by prominent patrons, including the House of della Rovere. Key examples include:
- *Sant'Onofrio Altarpiece* (1484), a religious painting for the Church of Sant'Onofrio in Cortona.
- *The Holy Family di Parte Guelfa* (1490), a religious composition depicting the Holy Family.
- *Lamentation over the Dead Christ* (1502), a mournful depiction of Christ’s burial.

### Collaborations and Influence
Signorelli collaborated with artists such as Pietro Perugino and Bartolomeo della Gatta on projects like the *Testament and Death of Moses* (1482), a fresco in the Sistine Chapel. His influence extended to later Renaissance artists, shaping the visual language of religious and mythological painting.

### Later Works and Legacy
In his later years, Signorelli continued to produce significant works, including the *Communion of the Apostles* (1512) and the *Polyptych of Saints* (1507). His legacy endures in the artistic achievements that continue to be studied and admired in museums worldwide.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. artist list of the National Museum of Sweden. 2016
5. The Fine Art Archive
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9. International Standard Name Identifier
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14. [Source](https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300179262/life-and-art-luca-signorelli)
15. [Source](https://www.nzz.ch/feuilleton/kunst_architektur/der-renaissance-maler-luca-signorelli-in-grossen-werkschauen-1.17365973)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. [Source](http://pinacotecabrera.org/en/collezione-online/opere/madonna-of-the-milk/)
18. [Source](https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k123255q/f521.image.r=Signorelli.langDE)
19. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Signorelli%20Luca)
20. [Source](https://gutenberg.spiegel.de/buch/kunstler-der-renaissance-110/22)
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27. [Source](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiarch.php)
28. LIBRIS. 2012
29. Metropolitan Museum of Art
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