was a prestigious position at the time. Fontana died in Bologna in 1597. The altarpiece of the Adoration of the Magi, in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, is considered to be his masterpiece. A large quantity of his work remains in Bologna. Artistry Artistic influences The majority of the artists who trained and collaborated with Fontana were heavily influenced by Raphael. He also looked to the work of Antonio da Correggio, Sebastiano del Piombo, and Giulio Romano. Style Fontana was well known for the speed in which he completed commissions. Carlo Cesare Malvasia criticized him for being careless and unprofessional. His early style is considered conservative. He gradually incorporated elements of Mannerism into his style after working with prominent artists of the movement. He is an early representative of the Bolognese school of painting. His style has been compared to that of Paolo Veronese. Major works Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist, 1545, oil on canvas — Church of Santa Maria del Baraccano, Bologna Beata Diana Andalò professing with Saint Dominic, 1545, oil on panel — San Domenico, Bologna Disputa di Santa Caterina, 1551, oil on panel, 361 x 178 cm — Santa Maria del Baraccano, Bologna Julius III, 1553, oil on panel — Biblioteca Universitaria, Bologna Personal life Prospero's father, Silvio Fontana, was a stonemason. Prospero married Antonia de Bonardis in 1539. They had two daughters, Emilia and Lavinia. Emilia died in 1568, just five years after her wedding to Floriano Bertelli. Prospero taught his surviving daughter Lavinia how to paint in his workshop. Notes References Flick, Gert-Rudolf (2008). "Prospero Fontana." Masters & Pupils: The Artistic Succession from Perugino to Manet, 1440-1880. London: Hagarth Arts. pp. 76–95. . Gaston, Robert W. (July 2, 2014). “Prospero Fontana’s Holy Family with saints.” Art Journal 19. https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/essay/prospero-fontanas-holy-family-with-saints/. "(1) Prospero Fontana". Encyclopedia of Italian Renaissance & Mannerist Art. Vol 1. Jane Turner, ed. Grove Encyclopedias of European Art. Suffolk: 2000. p. 561. . 1512 births 1597 deaths 16th-century Italian painters Italian male painters Painters from Bologna Italian Mannerist painters