The Life and Career of Antonio da Vendri

Antonio da Vendri lived and worked in Verona during the 16th century. His presence in the city is documented through various trades, showing a life tied to the practical needs of the local community. While he is remembered for his brushwork, the records of his time reveal a man who also worked as a baker and a tailor. These roles suggest a life of varied labor within the streets of Verona. His brother was also a painter, suggesting a family connection to the craft.

The years between 1517 and 1545 mark the period of his activity. During these decades, Antonio da Vendri moved through the social and professional layers of the city. He was a student of Liberale da Verona, learning the technical aspects of his trade. His work was often tied to the specific needs of local churches and the people who gathered there. He remained a fixture in Verona until his activity ceased in 1545.

Religious Commissions and Notable Patrons

Much of Vendri's work was shaped by the needs of the church. He spent much of his time in Verona, focusing his brush on religious themes to satisfy local ecclesiastical commissions. These requests dictated the rhythm of his life, as he moved between his other trades and the steady demand for sacred imagery.

In 1536, his work took him to Toblino Castle near Levico Terme in Trentino. He was commissioned by Cardinal Bernardo Clesio to paint frescoes within the castle walls. While these works once occupied the space, they are now lost to time. Only fragments of his religious output remain in places like the church of Santa Maria in Stelle in Verona, where a piece showing the Madonna and Child alongside Saint Roch still survives.

Significant Artworks and Their Locations

The traces of his hand remain in several specific places, held within museums and local churches. In the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, one can find The Judgment of Paris. This work sits far from the streets of Verona where he once lived and worked. Another piece, The Giusti Family of Verona, is kept within the National Gallery collection.

In Verona, his presence is felt through more intimate religious subjects. The Castelvecchio Museum holds Madonna and Child with Two Angels, a work from 1518. A fragment of a fresco, showing Madonna and Child and Saint Roch, remains in the church of Santa Maria in Stelle, also in Verona. These pieces offer a quiet look at the subjects he chose to paint for his local community.