Andrew, was born in a village near Padua in 1431, and at first employed in keeping sheep. It was observed, that instead of watching over his flock, he amused himself with drawing; and he was placed with a painter who, being delighted with his ease and taste in work, and with his gentle and agreeable conduct in society, adopted him for his son, and made him his heir. At the age of 17, Mantegna was employed to paint the altar of St Sophia in Padua, and the four evangelists. James Bellini, who admired his talents, gave him his daughter in marriage. Mantegna painted, for the duke of Mantua, the Triumph of Caesar, which is the chief d'oeuvre of this painter, and has been engraved in claro-obscuro, in nine plates. From respect to his extraordinary merit, the duke made him knight of his order. The invention of engraving prints with the graver is commonly ascribed to Mantegna, who died at Mantua in 1517.