_Ercole Roberti de' Grandi_ (Ferrarese: 1450-1496).
This Ercole is not to be confused with the younger painter
of the same family (see 1119). Ercole Roberti was the son of
Antonio Grandi, also a painter. A drawing attributed to him
in the Louvre, representing the Massacre of the Innocents,
in which he nearly approaches the grandeur of conception and
masterly execution of Mantegna, seems to show that he had
either studied under that great painter, or had experienced his
influence. Mantua, where Mantegna lived after 1468, is at no
great distance from Ferrara. Ercole was employed at the latter
place by the dukes, from whom he received a regular salary.
Pictures by him are rare, and none is authenticated by his
genuine signature. In the Dresden Gallery are two compartments
of a predella by him, another being in the Royal Institution at
Liverpool. In these and a few other works, including those in
our Gallery, Ercole reveals himself as a thorough Ferrarese,
in his energetic rendering of life and character, and in his
careful study of details (Layard's edition of "Kugler," ii.
351, and Morelli's _German Galleries_, pp. 109-113).
A very dainty little work. Notice especially the painting of the
bas-reliefs and of the decanters. The attitudes of the disciples
betoken respect or veneration, except that of the nearest figure,
Judas, who turns away his head.