Lot 302: Francesco Bissolo , Treviso (?) circa 1470/5 (?) - 1554 Venice Saint Francis oil on panel

oil on panel

measurements note 32 by 23.5 cm.; 12 3/4 by 9 1/2 in.

Bissolo was an important pupil of Giovanni Bellini (circa 1430-1516), to whom his style remained indebted throughout his life. He is traditionally thought to have been born in Treviso and is documented as working under Bellini in the Sala del Maggior Consiglio, Venice, as early as 1492. We are grateful to Dr. Keith Christiansen for endorsing the attribution to Bissolo and for suggesting a date circa 1525-30. We are also grateful to Dr. Peter Humfrey for independently endorsing the attribution.