Red Hair in Art: Giovanni Bellini

Giovanni Bellini (c. 1430 - 1516) was an Italian Renaissance painter, probably the best known of the Bellini family of Venetian painters.

He was considered to have revolutionized Venetian painting, moving it toward a more sensuous and colouristic style. Through the use of clear, slow-drying oil paints, Giovanni created deep, rich tints and detailed shadings. His sumptuous colouring and fluent, atmospheric landscapes had a great effect on the Venetian painting school, especially on his pupils Giorgione and Titian. His brother-in-law was Andrea Mantegna.

Here are some of his painting featuring redheads, and he was probably a redhead himself.

Giovanni Bellini, Self-portrait

Madonna and Child

Madonna del Prato

Madonna and Child

Virgin with Child

Annunciation

Detail

Madonna and Child

with St John the Baptist

Madonna and Child

Madonna degli Alberetti

Madonna and Child

Portrait of a Boy

Young Woman at her Toilette

Madonna and Child

A Bearded Man

Pietà

Holy Allegory

Imago pietatis