Bellini, Jacopo, << behl LEE nee, YAH koh poh >> (1400?-1470?), was one of the founders of the Renaissance style of painting in Venice and northern Italy. The style reached its maturity in the late 1400’s in the works of his sons Gentile and Giovanni and his son-in-law Andrea Mantegna. Jacopo was particularly interested in linear perspective. This was a mathematical system that enabled him to create convincing illusions of three-dimensional space and solid shapes on flat wooden panels. Most of the paintings for which he was best known in his day have been lost. His surviving works show how he accommodated linear perspective to the decorative patterns and rich colors of Venetian painting.
In spite of his importance as a painter, Jacopo is best known today for his drawings. They range from simple sketches to elaborate compositions that reflect his fascination with the illusion of space.
