Berenson, Bernard (originally Bernhard) (1865–1959)

Lithuanian-born US art historian and connoisseur, an authority on the Italian Renaissance. He became wealthy through his advisory work for art galleries and for such collectors as Joseph Duveen (1869–1939), although many of his attributions of Italian paintings were later questioned. His publications include The Italian Painters of the Renaissance 1932 and his autobiography Sketch for a Self-Portrait 1949.

His family emigrated to the USA 1872 and he was educated at Harvard University. He soon established a reputation as a connoisseur of art and was employed as an advisor by wealthy collectors such as Isabella Stewart. He made his first visit to Italy 1887 and spent most of his life there. Among his other publications are Lorenzo Lotto: An Essay in Constructive Art Criticism 1895, The Study and Criticism of Italian Art 1901, 1902, and 1916, Essays on the Study of Sienese Painting 1918, Three Essays in Method 1927, Studies on Medieval Painting 1930, Aesthetics and History 1950, and Caravaggio 1953.