La Pietà

1451–1452

First records: decorating objects for the Este court

Documents of 1451–1452 mention him for the first time: he decorates objects for the Este court, such as flags bearing the family's coats of arms for display at the Castle and a helmet to be awarded as a tournament prize. Such commissions were a staple of a workshop and a major source of income.

mid-1452 – April 1456

Years away from Ferrara: probably Padua

From mid-1452 to April 1456 Tura's name does not appear in Ferrarese documents; scholars suggest he spent these years in Padua, in the workshop of Francesco Squarcione, which produced Andrea Mantegna, Carlo Crivelli and Michael Pacher, and perhaps also in Venice. Paduan influence can be seen in many of his works.

1456

Return to Ferrara and the Este court

Returns to Ferrara and appears on the court salary rolls with residence in the Castle — the post of court painter had fallen vacant with the death of Angelo di Pietro da Siena (Maccagnino) on August 5, 1456; other accounts give 1458 for his official appointment. He works for Borso and then for Ercole I d'Este: painting, designing sets for festivals and tournaments, court costumes and furnishings, and drawing tapestry cartoons.

1458–1459

A possible meeting with Piero della Francesca

Piero della Francesca may have met Tura in person in Ferrara in 1458–1459; from him Tura borrowed a sense of geometric spatial construction, a monumental spirit and a use of sharp, clear lighting, above all in his backgrounds.

by 1460

A court stipend; pupils del Cossa and Bianchi

By 1460 the court gives Tura a stipend. His known pupils include Francesco del Cossa and Francesco Bianchi (Bianchi Ferrari).

1471

Court portraitist under Ercole I

With the rise to power of Ercole I d'Este he is appointed court portraitist, a role he keeps until 1486; according to documents he painted many portraits of members of the Este family, often to be sent to other rulers when marriage alliances were made, but almost all are lost. He also worked on the decoration of rooms, studies and the library of Giovanni Pico della Mirandola.