LECCE— LIBERALE DA VERONA. 83 LECCE, Matteo (Pebez) da, was in reputation at Rome in the Pontificate of Gregory XIII. (1572-85.) The ac- counts of this painter are singularly discrepant. He was a native of Lecce, in the kingdom of Naples, and pro- bably of Spanish descent. He be- longed to the anatomical school in taste, and is distinguished for having undertaken to paint the Fall of the Angels on the opposite wall to the Last Judgment by Michelangelo, in the Sis- tine Chapel. After the completion of this work he passed to Malta, where he painted much, and thence to Spain. Here he lived some years, from about 1583 to 1587, and executed several im- portant works at Madrid and at Seville, some of which still remain at Seville. Prom Spain, where Perez accumulated considerable wealth, he proceeded to " the Indies •' (probably Spanish South America). Here he lost his wealth, and died in great poverty, according to Baglione; but, according to Cean Ber- mudez, he died in Rome in 1600. In the church of Sant' Eligio Degli Ore- fid, the great altar-piece is by this painter. LEGNANI, Stefano, called Leg- KAKiNO, to distinguish him from his father, a portrait-painter, b. at Milan, 1660, d. 1715. Lombard School. The son and scholar of Cristoforo Legnani. He studied also under Carlo Cignani at Bologna, and Carlo Maratta at Rome. He worked in fresco as well as in. oils, at Milan, Turin, Genoa, and Novara. He was one of the most distinguished Lom- bard painters of his century. The cupola of San Gaudenzio at Novara, is considered his principal work: he was also a portrait-painter ; his own by himself is in the Brera. LELLI, Gio. Antonio, b. at Rome 1591, d, Aug. 3, 1640. Roman School. A scholar of Cigoli. He painted chiefly easel pictures in oU for private collec- tions ; but the churches at Rome con- tain also some of his works. In San Matteo in Merulana is an Annuncia- tion; and in the Convent della Mi- nerva, the Visitation, in fresco, by Lelli. (Baglione,) LEONBRUNO, Lorenzo, b. at Man- tua in 1489, living in 1587. The follower of Andrea Mantegna, and the scholar of Lorenzo Costa. He was the principal native painter of Mantua, and was a pensioner of the Duke Fede- rigo Gonzaga, but appears to have been wholly obscured by the establish- ment of Giuho Romano at Mantua. He was also architect and engineer. £[is ascertained pictures are in oil, extremely scarce, and were quite un- known to Lanzi. At Mantua, in pri- vate possession, are a St. Gerome ; a Judgment of Midas; and a Pieta, of good style, according to Codd^, in his recent work on the artists of Mantua, who is the first writer to notice this painter. LEONI, or LIONI, Cav. Ottavio, called II Padovanino from his origin, b. in Rome, 1574, d. 1628. Roman School. The scholar of his father Lodo- vico. He was a distinguished portrait- painter, one of the most celebrated of his time, but also executed a few altar-pieces for the churches of Rome. He was Pre- sident of the Academy of St. Luke. He is well known likewise as an engraver : he etched many excellent portraits from •his own pictures or drawings. The dates range from 1623 to 1628. His strict application to these plates was, according to Baglione, the immediate cause of his death. Works, Rome, Sant Eustachio, an Annunciation: Santa Maria della Mi- nerva, the Virgin and Child, with San Giacinto adoring. {Baglione^ Bartsch.) LIBERALE DA VERONA, b. about 1441, d. about 1526. Venetian School. Studied under Vincenzio di Stefano, and was an imitator also of the works of Jacopo Bellini and of Andrea M^- G 2
