Alessandro Varotari

Training under Dario Varotari the Elder is recorded. Pietro Liberi, Giulio Carpioni and Pietro della Vecchia are recorded as having studied under Alessandro Varotari. The recorded working language is Italian. The field of work recorded is painting, Italian painting and visual arts. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are mythological. Titian and Paolo Veronese are recorded as an influence. Places of work recorded in the authority are Venice. Works named in the authority record are Allegory of Astrology, Cornelia mother of the Gracchi and Venus with a cupid. Work by Alessandro Varotari is recorded in the collections of Museo del Prado, Nationalmuseum, Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte, Hermitage Museum and Kunsthistorisches Museum.

• Birth Name — Alessandro Leone Varotari • Born — 4 April 1588 • Birthplace — Padua, Republic of Venice • Died — 20 July 1649 • Place of death — Venice, Republic of Venice • Known for — Painting • Movement — Mannerism

Born in Padua, from which his nickname derives, he was the son of the local painter and architect Dario Varotari the Elder, who most probably provided his earliest training. Early paintings such as The incredulity of St. Thomas, Virgin and Child, and the Pentecost show the influence of Titian. Padovanino married Caterina Mesa 1612 in Padua. He moved to Venice in 1614. He is known to have traveled to Rome twice (in the mid-1610s and in 1625), where he was much employed in producing copies of major paintings by major Renaissance artists of the prior generation. In 1619, he worked on the mosaics of the Basilica of San Marco. In the following years he worked on decorating the interior of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. In 1625 he made another trip to Rome. He painted a major battle canvas entitled The victory of the Carnuti (Celts) over the Normans. His pupils included Pietro Liberi, Bartolommeo Scaligero, Pietro della Vecchia, Giulio Carpioni and his own son, Dario Varotari the Younger. His sister Chiara Varotari was a well known portraitist. Among his students was Caterina Tarabotti.

Padovanino was a highly respected artist in his time. Although he had earned much of his fame due to his talents as a copyist, he still deserves a place in the history of painting. He had learned painting in the style of Titian, to whose spirit and style he was faithful throughout his career. His career lasted well into the seventeenth century. His paintings are characterized for their narrative ability and their sensuality. • Illustration — Venus and Cupid • Illustration — Venus and Mars Surprised by Vulcan • Illustration — Rape of Europa • Illustration — Venus sleeping with angels • Illustration — Orfeus • Illustration — Mars and Venus playing Chess

Alessandro Varotari was recorded at birth as Alessandro Leone Varotari. The authorities additionally record the headings il Padovanino, Paduvanijn, Padunino, Padua Nino and Padwanino. His recorded language was Italian. He was the child of Dario Varotari the Elder.