Bernardino Fungai

The Sienese painter Bernardino Fungai, thought to have studied with Benvenuto di Giovanni (1436–ca. 1518), worked with that artist on decorations for the cupola of Siena Cathedral. Fungai would also have been exposed to the work of Pietro Perugino, Luca Signorelli, and Bernardino Pinturicchio, who were then active in the environs of Siena. Fungai completed many altarpieces for Sienese churches, usually characterized by a hieratic figural style and lyrical landscape passages. In secular panel paintings, such as his cassoni (marriage chests) and spalliera (often on the back of chairs or displayed above furniture at “shoulder” height), Fungai demonstrated an engaging approach to narrative. A deft use of gold and other expensive materials marks his known commissions.