Gozzoli, Benozzo (1420-1497), Italian painter of the early Renaissance, who was particularly adept at painting groups of people in processions or in dramatic action, against fanciful landscapes and architectural backgrounds. Born Benozzo di Lese di Sandro in Florence, he was one of the important masters of the Florentine school. He studied with the noted painter Fra Angelico, whom he assisted in some of his work. His paintings are noted for their realistic detail and clear, bright color. Most of his paintings are frescoes; they include a triple series from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi; and 24 monumental frescoes depicting Old Testament scenes, including the Life of Noah and Visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon (1469-1485, Campo Santo, Pisa) that were almost totally destroyed during World War II (1939-1945). His most important work was the Procession of the Magi (1460, Medici Riccardi Palace, Florence), a continuous frieze that contains portraits of many eminent Florentines of the time.