Ercole de' Roberti, also known as Ercole Ferrarese or Ercole da Ferrara, was a significant Italian painter of the Early Renaissance period. Born in 1451 in Ferrara, Italy, he was one of the most prominent artists of the Ferrarese school, which flourished under the patronage of the Este family. Despite the scarcity of documented details about his life, Roberti's artistic output suggests that he was deeply influenced by the cultural and artistic environment of Ferrara, as well as by the work of his contemporaries in other Italian city-states.
Roberti's career is noted for his mastery in depicting religious themes with emotional depth and for his innovative use of perspective and color, which distinguished his work from that of his peers. His contributions to the art world include several well-known altarpieces and frescoes, many of which have been preserved in churches and museums across Italy. Among his most celebrated works are the pieces he contributed to the decoration of the Este family's palaces in Ferrara, showcasing his ability to blend narrative depth with vivid imagery.
Although his life was relatively short, as he died in 1496 at the age of 45, Roberti's influence on the Italian Renaissance was profound. His work not only reflects the transition from the Gothic style to the Renaissance approach that emphasized human emotion, classical composition, and technical precision but also helped lay the groundwork for the developments in art that would come in the 16th century. After his death, his legacy continued to inspire artists in Ferrara and beyond, making him an important figure in the history of Italian Renaissance art.