Born in the town of Citta della Pieve 35 km from Perugia. After learning from the local painter in 1470 arrived in Florence and entered the workshop of Andrea Verrocchio.
In 1481, already a famous master of the best artists of Italy invited by Pope Sixtus IV to Rome to participate in the work on the decoration of the Sistine chapel.
Worked in many cities of Italy, but most of all in Perugia, where he was the head of a big Studio. In the 80-90-ies of the XV century Perugino was one of the most famous artists of Italy. The most famous of his disciples - Raphael.
Perugino died from the plague in Perugia in 1524.
Italian painter of the Early Renaissance. About young years Perugino almost nothing is known. According to George Vasari studied first in Perugia (hence his nickname - "pereginets"). The real name of the painter Pietro Vannucci (Pietro Vannucci). Master of the Umbrian school, Perugino has influenced by Piero della Francesca, Luca Signorelli, Dutch artists, as well as Andrea del verrokko, in whose workshop in Florence, he worked with 1470. Perugino lived in Perugia, Rome, Florence, Venice, Siena and other cities of Italy. Paintings by Perugino is smooth compositional rhythms, lyricism landscape backgrounds, representing the hilly landscape of Umbria.
In 1470-ies Perugino wrote a number of altarpieces (the adoration of the Magi”, about 1475; and others). With enough fame, was invited to Rome, where on behalf of Pope Sixtus VI painted the Sistine chapel in the Vatican (1478-1482). Later, in 1536, most of these paintings were destroyed to make room for the “last judgement by Michelangelo. The only surviving Sistine fresco Perugino, written entirely by himself, is the famous "keys of the Apostle Peter." Creatively mastered disparate impact, Perugino has developed his own method, full deeply heartfelt, peaceful harmony; in the "keys" this harmony is strengthened and spacious urban surroundings in the center of which, as a symbol of the future Church (the high priest which becomes Peter), emblazoned centric temple perfectly in line with the architectural principles of Renaissance humanism.
Perugino and subsequently once wrote frescoes (painting school Collegio del Cambio di Perugia, with 1496; and others), however, made history yet, primarily as a master of altarpieces. It was in his work formed the classical type of big beautiful altar that it is the "classical", being based on deeply composite and coloristics thoughtful, alien sharp dissonance equilibrium. This balance, combined with the mild, thoughtful lyricism characteristic of the best of his works (“the virgin and child with the young John the Baptist”, 1480-s; the Vision of St Bernard”, 1491; and others). This contemplative mood prevails even in an extremely dramatic in his story “the entombment” (1507).
Perugino worked in different areas of Italy, and especially in Umbria; perhaps he is best known as the teacher of Raphael, whose early works manner so close this wizard. The young Raphael worked in the Studio Perugino at the turn of the 15th-16th centuries (after 1494). However, it is possible that the latter was not so much a direct student Perugino, but his imitator (in early years) and successor. Assume also that they cooperated with each other, including in the paintings Collegio del Cambio.
A clear balance of spatial constructions, harmonious, soft grace, poetic and introspective tone of works by Perugino (fresco “the keys of the Apostle Peter,” in the Sistine chapel , 1481-1482, Vatican, “Lamentation of Christ”, about 1494-1495, Uffizi ), created a kind of lyrical and heartfelt type Madonna (Madonna with child”, State Museum of fine arts, Moscow) has had a significant impact on his pupil of Raphael. In any case, in the history of Perugino logged in as the chief mentor of young Raphael, bequeathed him his creative principles, which had quite a value, prologa way "Renaissance classicism". Died Perugino in February 1523 in Fontignano.