St Christopher

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.