Vittore Carpaccio

Born in Venice around 1460 to a furrier, he originally signed as 'Scarpaza'. The name 'Carpaccio' became standard only after a 1648 biography.¹

In 1490, he began 'The Legend of Saint Ursula'. This large pictorial cycle established his reputation in Venice as a master of narrative and lighting.¹

Famous for large urban scenes like 'Miracle of the Relic of the Cross', which vividly illustrate Venice's wealth and civic pride at its height.¹

Worked with Giovanni Bellini on the Doge's Palace from 1501 to 1507, though the entire cycle was unfortunately lost in a fire in 1577.¹

His 1502 'Saint Augustine in His Study' reflects Renaissance collecting habits, featuring exotic objects like Etruscan vases and Mamluk metalwork.¹

By 1510, his style was perceived as conservative, showing little influence from the Humanist trends that transformed Renaissance painting.¹

Before 1510, he primarily worked for religious confraternities; after 1510, his commissions shifted toward individual patrons.¹

Died around 1525. While less studied in English than contemporaries like Bellini, he remains a key master of the early Venetian Renaissance.¹