The massive frescoes of the Last Judgment, executed between 1499 and 1503 in the Orvieto Cathedral, established Luca Signorelli as a formidable force in Italian Renaissance painting. Born in Cortona around 1450, he developed a career defined by his technical mastery of the human form, specifically his skill as a draftsman and his complex, arduous use of foreshortening.
Early Career and Influences
Signorelli originated from Cortona, a region within the Republic of Florence. Historical accounts suggest his formative training occurred in Florence, likely under the guidance of Piero della Francesca. His early professional path took him to Arezzo by 1472 and Città di Castello by 1474. During this period, he engaged with diverse regional styles, including those found in Perugia and the broader Sienese school, while establishing a workshop that gained significant prominence by the 1490s.
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In 1499, Signorelli accepted a commission from the Orvieto Cathedral to complete the chapel of S. Brizio. The contract mandated that he consult with the Masters of the Sacred Page regarding theological themes, marking a notable interaction between artist and clergy. His work spanned the ceiling and walls, depicting apocalyptic events such as the Preaching of Antichrist and the Resurrection of the Dead. He incorporated contemporary references to Dante and antiquity into the lower walls, occasionally including portraits of local figures, such as a representation of his son Antonio within a Pietà composition.
Late Projects and Professional Legacy
Throughout his life, Signorelli maintained a base in Cortona while traveling to fulfill commissions across central Italy, including Rome. In 1508, he was summoned by Pope Julius II to contribute to the Vatican Palace, though his work was eventually replaced to allow for the interventions of Raphael. Despite the changing aesthetic trends of the time, he continued to work on altarpieces and frescoes until his death in 1523. He was buried at the Church of San Francesco in Cortona.
Fast facts
- Born: 1450, Cortona
- Died: 1523, Cortona
- Citizenship: Republic of Florence
- Primary Occupations: Painter, draftsperson, fresco painter
- Notable Masterpiece: Last Judgment frescoes, Orvieto Cathedral
- Movement: Sienese school
- Burial site: Church of San Francesco
Questions readers ask
Who provided Signorelli with his early artistic training?
Giorgio Vasari recorded that Signorelli was likely trained by Piero della Francesca in Florence.
Did Signorelli work for the Vatican?
Yes, in 1508 Pope Julius II summoned him to paint in the Vatican Palace, although his contributions were later removed.
Achievements
- Notable work: Adoration of the Magi
- Notable work: Adoration of the Shepherds
- Notable work: Sermon and Deeds of the Antichrist
- Notable work: Education of Pan
- Movement: Sienese school
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