Ercole de' Roberti (Italian, c. 1455/1456–1496) was a formidable force of the Ferrarese Renaissance, known for his emotionally charged figures and jewel-toned palettes. Trained under Francesco del Cossa and likely influenced by Cosmè Tura, Roberti emerged as a leading painter at the court of Ferrara in Northern Italy, where his altarpieces and portraits reflected both dramatic intensity and courtly elegance. His work reveals a masterful command of anatomy and expression, often pushing human gestures to their psychological extremes - hallmarks of the so-called Scuola Ferrarese.
Though his career was brief, his influence was lasting. He served the Este family at the court not only as a painter but also as a courtier, weaving his artistic flair into the cultural fabric of one of Italy's most sophisticated courts. His surviving works - rare, precise, and emotionally resonant - capture a moment when the Gothic spirit collided with Renaissance clarity.
