_Filippo Mazzola_ (Parmese: died 1505).
The Mazzola family affords one of the many instances in the
history of painting of artistic heredity. Filippo's two
brothers were also painters, and his son was the more famous
Parmigiano (see under 33). The Mazzoli were much employed
in Parma, but their work seldom rose above mediocrity.
By Filippo--called _delle erbette_ from the plants which
he was fond of introducing into his pictures--there are
religious-subject pictures to be seen at Parma. But he is best
known for his portraits, in which the influence of Antonello da
Messina is to be traced (see Morelli's _German Galleries_, p.
418). An excellent one in the Brera bears his signature.
This picture is in its original frame, of early _cinque-cento_ pattern,
richly carved, gilt, and painted. A somewhat similar frame has recently
been given to the "Vision of St. Eustace" (1436).