Bartolomeo Montagna (Vicenza c.1450-1523)

Bartolomeo Cincani, called Montagna, was the principal follower in Vicenza of his teacher, Giovanni Bellini. He was born near Brecia around 1450 and was recorded in Venice as of 1469. Christ Blessing is an important signed and dated work by the artist. The inscription, on a trompe-l'oeil piece of paper on the front of the parapet is written in an irregular italic script that has been disfigured by paint losses and restorations, but what can still be deciphered reads: 'Opus. Bar.olom..Montagn. di 24 Sep..mbris 1507'. A print after the painting was made in the late 18th century when it was in the collection of John Strange, which identifies itself as 'Raccolta di S.E. il Sig.r Cav.r Giovanni Strange residente di S.M. Britanica appresso la Serenis.ma Repubblica di Venezia' and reproduces the inscription as 'Opus Bartolomei Montagna (vicentini) die septembris 1507'.