Michelino Molinari da Besozzo (c. 1388 – c. 1455)

• Was an Italian painter and illuminator.
• He worked mostly in Milan and Lombardy.
• Besozzo was employed by the Visconti family, rulers of Milan.
• It is believed that he is referred to in some documents from the period by the name Michele da Pavia, as he lived in Pavia at the beginning of his career.
• Michelino lived in Milan from 1439 until his death.
• When his patron, first Duke of Milan Gian Galeazzo Visconti died and Giovanni Maria Visconti fell into power, Michelino moved to Venice and Vicenza to avoid Giovanni's difficult reign.
• In Venice, Michelino was in contact with painter Gentile da Fabriano (Gentile di Niccolò di Massio).
• Michelino had a son, Leonardo, who was also a manuscript illuminator.
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