A 16th century Italian painter and a notable exponent of the Venetian school. The speed with which he painted, and the unprecedented boldness of his brushwork, were both admired and criticised by his contemporaries. For his phenomenal energy in painting he was termed Il Furioso. His work is characterised by his muscular figures, dramatic gestures and bold use of perspective, in the Mannerist style. In all of Tintoretto’s masterpieces there is a very strong link of religion, mythology and inspiration drawn from earlier Renaissance art (notably that of Michelangelo).