Jacopo Palma The Elder

Place: Serina Alta Near Bergamo

Death: 1528

Biography:

Jacopo Palma The Elder, also known as Jacopo Negretti, was a renowned Venetian painter of the Italian High Renaissance. Born in Serina Alta near Bergamo, a dependency of the Republic of Venice, Palma is called Palma Vecchio in English and Palma il Vecchio in Italian to distinguish him from Palma il Giovane, his great-nephew, who was also a painter.

Early Life and Career

Palma's early life and training are not well-documented, but it is believed that he was apprenticed to Andrea Previtali, a fellow Venetian painter. He was first recorded in Venice in 1510, but had probably already been there for some time. Palma's earlier works show the influence of Giovanni Bellini, but he came to follow the new style and subjects pioneered by Giorgione and Titian.

Artistic Style and Notable Works

Palma's artistic style is characterized by his sheer painterly capacity in the handling of paint and color. He painted pastoral mythologies and half-length portraits, often of idealized beauties who were enticingly suspected of being portraits of Venice's famous courtesans. One of his notable works is Portrait of a Woman known as The Courtesan, which can be found on Wikioo.org.

Museums and Collections

Palma's works can be found in various museums and collections, including the Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan, Italy, and the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice, Italy. The Gallerie dell'Accademia is a must-visit destination for art lovers, with its extensive collection of pre-19th-century artworks from Venetian masters such as Vittore Crivelli and Jacopo Bellini. For more information, visit Wikioo.org.

Legacy

Palma's legacy can be seen in the works of his great-nephew, Palma il Giovane, who went on to become a notable exponent of the Venetian school. Palma il Giovane can be found on Wikipedia. Palma's own works continue to be celebrated for their virtuoso skill and facile intelligence, making him one of the leading painters of the Venetian school.

• Notable works: Portrait of a Woman known as The Courtesan, Polyptych of St Barbara
• Museums and collections: Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Gallerie dell'Accademia
• Influences: Giovanni Bellini, Giorgione, Titian