Paduan school

The Paduan school was an early Renaissance art movement founded by Francesco Squarcione in Padua, Italy. Squarcione, a painter and collector of ancient sculptures, established a private school that differed from traditional workshops. He taught numerous pupils, including notable artists like Andrea Mantegna and Cosmè Tura, though later scholars credit his students more with innovation than Squarcione himself.1

The Paduan school was influenced by the Florentine early Renaissance style, particularly the work of sculptor Donatello, who worked in Padua. Squarcione's school served as a conduit for diffusing this style into Padua. While Squarcione's own paintings show this influence, his primary legacy lies in his role as an educator and founder of a significant artistic school.1