Vasco Fernandes is an important Portuguese Renaissance painter. He was better known as Grao Vasco (The Great Vasco) and lived in the town of Viseu in the mid-15th century. His paintings were so eloquent and well-done that he is referred to as Grao Vasco. The Portuguese kings and queens admired his work and the emperors of Portugal had several altarpieces painted by him.
Vasco Fernandes's works display attention to detail and a trend toward naturalism. His interest in Flemish painting is evident in his work, which includes many portraits. In 1512, Fernandes returned to Viseu and set up his own workshop in the city's Regueira Street. He also exhibited his works at various churches in Viseu and throughout Portugal.
