1134. MADONNA AND CHILD.
Liberale da Verona (Veronese: 1451-1535).
Liberale di Giacomo, of Verona, was brought up as a miniaturist, and his works in that sort, executed before he was out of his teens, are much admired for their fancy and sumptuous colour. The choral books which he executed for Monte Oliveto are now in the cathedral of Chiusi. Returning to Verona, Liberale took to painting on a large scale, and became one of the most esteemed artists of the Veronese School. "One of his best works is the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian in the Brera, in which he has introduced an interesting architectural background with Venetian palaces on a canal, designed with much spirit and minuteness. In consequence of his bold and vigorous style his works are occasionally attributed to Mantegna" (Kugler). Many of his pictures are still at Verona.
One of "the small spiritless Madonna pictures which he produced carelessly and hastily in his old age, and supplied for niggardly pay to the citizens of Verona. They served as wedding presents, and Liberale has only himself to thank if this degenerate practice should have spoilt his reputation" (Dr. Richter in the Art Journal, Feb. 1895).