Gentile**, a Venetian painter, born in the year 1421. He was employed by the republic of Venice; and to him and his brother that state is indebted for the noble works which are to be found in its council-hall. Mahommmed II. having seen some of his performances, was so struck with them that he wrote to the republic, entreating that the artist might be sent to him. Bellini accordingly proceeded to Constantinople, where he painted a number of pieces, among which was the decollation of St John the Baptist, whom the Turks revere as a great prophet. Mahommmed admired the proportion and shading of the work; but remarking a defect in regard to the skin of the neck, from which the head was separated, the sultan, to prove the truth of his observation, sent for a slave and ordered his head to be struck off. The painter by no means relishing this capital style of instruction, and anxious to place his own head beyond the reach of experiment, earnestly solicited his dismission, which was granted by the grand signior. The republic settled a pension upon him at his return, and made him a knight of St Mark. He died in 1501, in the eightieth year of his age.

**Bellini, Giovanni**, the son of Jacopo Bellini, and brother of Gentile, was born at Venice in 1422. He surpassed his brother in grace and softness; and may be considered as the chief emancipator of the Venetian school from the dry manner of his predecessors. His works are numerous, but his best pictures are to be seen only in Italy. (Lanzi, *Storia Pittor.*)

**Bellini, Jacopo**, an early Venetian painter, who having learned the art of painting in oil, produced some pictures in that manner which are still considered as remarkable productions. He died in 1470.

**Bellini, Lorenzo**, a celebrated physician and anatomist, born at Florence A.D. 1643. After completing his studies in general literature, he went to Pisa, where, assisted by the generosity of the grand duke Ferdinand II., he studied under two of the most learned men of that age, Oliva and Borelli, the former of whom instructed him in natural philosophy, and the latter in mechanics. He likewise studied medicine under Redi, and mathematics under Marchetti. At the early age of twenty he was chosen professor of philosophy at Pisa, but did not long continue in this office; for he had acquired such a reputation for skill in anatomy, that the grand duke procured him a professorship in that science, and was himself a frequent auditor at his lectures. Bellini died in 1703, in the sixtieth year of his age. His works were publicly read and explained at Leyden by our countryman Dr Pitcairn, professor of physic there.

**Bellini, Vincenzo**, the operatic composer, was born at Catania in Sicily, on the 3d November 1802 according to the best authorities. He was the son of a musician, and received his education in the Conservatorio at Naples, under Zingarelli. His principal works are the following well-known operas:—*Il Pirata, La Straniera, La Sonnambula, Norma, I Puritani*. He died at Puteaux near Paris, after a short illness, September 23, 1835. Combined with an elegant person and fascinating manners, Bellini possessed high moral worth; and his compositions, which are characterized by tenderness and sweetness, are a happy reflection of the amiable disposition of the author.