an Italian Renaissance school of painting that flourished in the late 15th century and whose development was influenced by A. Mantegna, Piero della Francesca, and, to a lesser extent, painters of the Netherlandish school. The center of the Ferrara school was the court of the dukes of Este in Ferrara. The school’s masters included C. Tura, F. del Cossa, and E. de’ Roberti. The painting of Ferrara is noted for the combination of Late Gothic and Early Renaissance tendencies. Other characteristics are a refined technique, expressive images, and clearly articulated form.
In the early 16th century the Ferrara school began to bear resemblances to the Roman and Venetian schools and acquired traits of eclecticism. These changes are evident in the works of Garofalo, the brothers B. Dossi and D. Dossi, and Ortolano. The Ferrara school declined toward the mid-16th century.