The 15th and 16th Centuries
The Museo del Prado has various outstanding Italian paintings from the 15th century, such as The Death of the Virgin by Mantegna, acquired for Philip IV, The Annunciation by Fra Angelico, and Scenes from the Story of Nastagio degli Onesti by Botticelli. Also worthy of mention is The Dead Christ supported by an Angel by Antonello da Messina, whose purchase in 1966 signified an important addition to the collection due to the work’s outstanding quality.
The 16th-century paintings include the outstanding Raphael collection, with celebrated compositions such as The Holy Family with the Lamb, The Virgin of the Fish and Portrait of a Cardinal. The Venetian School, which is one of the great strengths of the Prado’s collection, includes an exceptional group of masterpieces by Titian including Charles V at Mühlberg, The Worship of Venus, Danäe, Venus and Adonis and the artist’s Self-portrait. Particularly notable works by Veronese are Venus and Adonis, Moses rescued from the Nile, and Christ among the Doctors, while important works by Tintoretto include Christ washing the Disciples’ Feet and the seven paintings of Old Testament scenes purchased by Velázquez during his second Italian trip.
Other well represented Italian artists of this period are Correggio with the Noli me tangere, and Andrea del Sarto with The Virgin and Child between Saint Matthew and an Angel. The Prado also has important pantings by Parmigianino, Sebastiano del Piombo and the Bassano.
