Andrea del Castagno, A Florentine Renaissance Master Andrea del Castagno emerged from the Tuscan countryside near Florence around 1419 to leave an indelible mark on the artistic landscape. His life, though shrouded in some mystery, was one of innovation, dramatic realism, and a departure from the more stylized conventions that preceded him. Born in Castagnoli, not far from Monte Falterona, young Andrea’s family resided in Corella during periods of war between Florence and Milan before returning home. It was under the patronage of Bernardo de' Medici in 1440 that he truly entered the Florenti…