Bernardino (or Belardino) Mezzastris (or Mezastris) (ca. before 1539) was an Italian painter of the Umbrian School, from Foligno in Umbria, Italy. He was a minor artist: some of his frescoes on religious subjects survive, but garnered little critical acclaim. He should not be confused with the much more important Pier Antonio Mezzastris, another fresco artist at the time and possible relative.[1]
Bernardino Mezzastris is thought to be the son of Pier Antonio Mezzastris (ca. 1430-1506) who was an influential painter. Furthermore, likely relatives include Onofria Mezzastris, his aunt, Bartolomeo di Tommaso, his presumed uncle-in-law, and Paolo Nocchi, his possible great-uncle.[2]
Like the works of his presumed father, Pier Antonio Mezzastris, most of Bernardino’s fresco paintings involved various Christian figures and saints. Many of Bernardino's frescoes and paintings are damaged, and only two are known to be signed by him. Detached frescoes are now located in the Pinacoteca Civica museum of Foligno.