(Gentil), a Venetian painter, born in the year 1421. He was employed by the republic of Venice, and to him and his brother the Venetians are indebted for the noble works which are to be seen in the council-hall. We are told that Mahomet II., emperor of the Turks, having seen some of his performances, was so struck with them, that he wrote to the republic, intreating them to send him. The painter accordingly went to Constantinople, where he did many excellent pieces. Amongst the rest, he painted the decollation of St. John the Baptist, whom the Turks revered as a great prophet. Mahomet admired the proportion and shadowing of the work; but he remarked one defect in regard to the skin of the neck, from which the head was separated; and in order to prove the truth of his observation, he sent for a slave and ordered his head to be struck off. This sight so shocked the painter, that he could not be easy till he had obtained his dismission; which the Grand Signior granted, and made him a present of a gold chain. The republic settled a pension upon him at his return, and made him a knight of St. Mark. He died in 1512, in the 80th year of his age.

John Bellini, his brother, painted with more art and sweetness than he; and died in 1512, aged 90.

Bellini (Laurence), an eminent physician, born at Florence in the year 1643. After having finished his studies in polite literature, he went to Pisa, where he was assisted by the generosity of the grand duke Ferdinand II., and studied under two of the most learned men of that age, Oliva and Borelli. Oliva instructed him in natural philosophy, and Borelli taught him mathematics. At 20 years of age, he was chosen professor of philosophy at Pisa, but did not continue long in this office; for he had acquired such a reputation for his skill in anatomy, that the grand duke procured him Bellinzona, a professorship in that science. This prince was often present at his lectures, and was highly satisfied with his abilities and performances. Bellini, after having held his professorship almost 30 years, accepted of an invitation to Florence, when he was about 50 years of age. Here he practised physic with great success, and was advanced to be first physician to the grand duke Cosmus III. He wrote the following books in Latin: 1. An anatomical discourse on the structure and use of the kidneys. 2. A speech by way of thanks to the serene duke of Tuscany. 3. Some anatomical observations, and a proposition in mechanics. 4. Of the urine and pulse, of blood-letting, fevers, and diseases of the head and breasts. 5. Several tracts concerning urine, the motion of the heart, and bile, &c. He died January 8th, 1703, being 60 years of age. His works were read and explained publicly during his life, by the famous Scotch physician Dr Pitcairn, professor of physic in Leyden.