Christ as a Boy

In this painting on panel, Christ is depicted as a child, gazing innocently towards the audience. He is adorned in a red gown which contrasts the earthy deep green background. His long hair gently falls down to his shoulder, and he rests one hand on a wooden structure in the foreground. This portrayal captures a tentative and sensitive boy, embodying a sense of rosy innocence. 

Francesco Bonsignori

Francesco Bonsignori, also known as Francesco Monsignori, was a distinguished Italian painter and draughtsman renowned for his mastery in depicting religious themes, portraits, architectural perspectives, and animals. He was born in Verona, where his father, Albertus Bonsignori, was an esteemed amateur painter.

In the early stages of his career, Bonsignori’s artistic style was profoundly shaped by his teacher, Liberale de Verona. His career took a significant turn in 1487 when he became the portraitist and court artist for the esteemed Gonzaga family of Mantua. This period market a crucial phase in his artistic development, as he came under the influence of Andrea Mantegna, another prominent artist employed by Francesco Gonzaga since the 1480’s. Bonsignori and Mantegna Collaborated on several religious artworks, most notably those featuring the Madonna and Child.

As Bonsignori’s career progressed, his artistic style underwent further changes, particularly in his use of form and colour. This development in his practice was decisively influenced by Lorenzo Costa, a contemporary artist whose techniques left a lasting impact on Bonsignori’s later pieces.