Vitale da Bologna

Who was Vitale da Bologna?

Vitale da Bologna, also known as Vidolini, Vitale di Almo de' Cavalli or Vitale degli Equi, was an Italian painter, of the Early Renaissance.

He is a representant of the 14th century school of painting in Bologna, where he was most active and painted the polyptych in the church of San Salvatore and frescoes in Santa Maria dei Servi. He was also active in Pomposa and Udine. He is last registered in Udine in 1369, where he is presumed to have died.

His masterwork is the panel with St. George and the Dragon in the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna. Also notable is the Madonna dei denti.

Also attributed to him is the Presepe fresco from the church of Sant'Apollonia di Mezzaretta, now in the Pinacoteca Nazionale of Bologna, considered a mainstay of the evolution of the Emilian school of art.