Piero di cosimo biography for kids

Piero Di Cosimo

Italian painter
Date of Birth: 02.01.1462
Country: Italy

Content:
  1. Piero di Cosimo: Renaissance Artist
  2. Early Career and Mythological Paintings
  3. Influence of Leonardo da Vinci
  4. Mythological Paintings and Eccentricity
  5. Late Career and Legacy
  6. Poetic Sensibility and Stylistic Innovations
  7. Influence and Legacy

Piero di Cosimo: Renaissance Artist

Early Life and Apprenticeship

Piero di Cosimo (1462-1521) was an Italian painter born in Florence during the transition from Early to High Renaissance. As an apprentice to Cosimo Rosselli, who called him "di Cosimo" because, as Vasari wrote, "we owe not less to him who teaches us our craft and provides for our well-being than to him who begot us and merely gave us life."

Early Career and Mythological Paintings

In 1482, Piero accompanied his master to Rome for commissions in the Sistine Chapel alongside Botticelli, Perugino, and Ghirlandaio. By 1486, he began working independently and received a commission to adorn the walls of a room in the palace of Francesco Pugliese. The resulting paintings, "Scenes of Hunting" and "Forest Fire," allegorically depicted the transition from primitive to civilized society.

Influence of Leonardo da Vinci

Upon Leonardo da Vinci's return to Florence, his influence became evident in Piero's work. He adopted soft shadows and the sfumato technique, transitioning from mixed tempera and oil to solely oil painting. Notable examples include "Portrait of Simonetta Vespucci" and religious works in the Church of San Marco and the Cappella di Gino Capponi in Florence.

Mythological Paintings and Eccentricity

Piero's mature works often featured mythological subjects. "Venus and Mars" was influenced by Botticelli's famous depiction, but Piero's interpretation was more earthy and less elegant. His masterpiece, "Death of Procris," depicted the tragic tale of a hunted deer that sparked a fatal misunderstanding.

Late Career and Legacy

In his later years, Piero's works became more stylized and mannered. He received a commission for the Tebaldi Chapel in the Church of the Servites, where he painted the Virgin Mary and other figures with a peculiar and imaginative landscape. His last known work, "Perseus and Andromeda," displayed his fascination with classical mythology and the interplay between static and dynamic elements.

Poetic Sensibility and Stylistic Innovations

Piero di Cosimo combined a poetic sensibility with sophisticated stylization and a sense of the fantastic. His mythological paintings evoke the primal and savage era of humanity. He employed vibrant colors, grotesque elements, and intricate scenography to create unique and memorable works.

Influence and Legacy

Piero di Cosimo's technical skills, particularly in depicting flora and fauna, influenced subsequent artists. His exploration of mythological themes and dreamy atmospheres contributed to the development of Mannerism in Renaissance art. He remains an enigmatic and fascinating figure known for his eccentric personality and innovative approach to painting.