Le Calvaire

c. 1450

Born

c. 1450

Only son in a Cortona family of painters

Luca was the only son of Gilio (Egidio) di Luca di Angelo di maestro Ventura and Bartolomea di Domenico di Schiffo; his father and forebears had been painters in Cortona for several generations.

c. 1470

Marries Gallizia Carnesecchi

Around 1470 Signorelli married Gallizia di Piero Carnesecchi; they had four children — Antonio, Felicia, Tommaso and Gabriella.

c. 1484

Returns to live in Cortona

After working in Florence, Siena and Rome, Signorelli returned to live in Cortona in his early forties; with an established reputation, he remained based there for the rest of his life, often travelling to the cities of the region to fulfil commissions.

1497

Invited to paint at Monte Oliveto Maggiore

Fra Domenico Airoldi, abbot and general of the Olivetan order, invited Signorelli to paint the monastery with the “Story of Saint Benedict”. He completed the eight lunettes of the north side before leaving the work for his most important commission, in Orvieto; from 1505 Sodoma finished the cycle.

5 April 1499

Contract for the chapel frescoes in Orvieto

Signorelli undertook to complete the vault of the cathedral's Cappella Nuova, begun by Fra Angelico, for 200 ducats, and the walls for a further 600, with lodging and a monthly allowance of two measures of wine and two quarters of corn. The contract required him to consult the Masters of the Sacred Page on theological matters — the first recorded instance of an artist receiving theological advice.