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Andrea Del Verrocchio (1435 - 1488)
Andrea Del Verrocchio
(1435 - 1488) |
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Leading fifteenth century Florentine sculptor, painter, and architect; technical wizardry in bronze, conceptual inventiveness; marble tombs and statuary Art Work
| Name: |
Andrea Del Verrocchio |
| Gender: |
Male |
| Place of Birth: |
Florence, Italy |
| Nationality: |
Italian |
| Birth: |
1435 |
| Death: |
1488 |
| Website: |
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| Past Auctions: |
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Quick Facts
| Known For: |
Leading fifteenth century Florentine sculptor, painter, and architect; technical wizardry in bronze, conceptual inventiveness; marble tombs and statuary |
| Medium: |
oil |
| Method: |
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| Style: |
Classic style of the Florentine Early Renaissance |
| Fine Art Profession(s): |
Painting
Sculpture
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Biography
| Andrea del Verrocchio's varied career has received mixed criticism from art historians, largely due to his eclectic output and talents. He turned his hand to almost any project, whether sculptural, decorative, or functional. Most significantly, Verrocchio has been overshadowed by the glowing career of Leonardo da Vinci, who shot to fame from Verrocchio's studio. Thanks to the success of his pupil, Verrocchio laid down his paintbrush to concentrate on sculpture. He is best remembered for his technical ability, particularly in bronze, and for the efficient organization of a large and busy workshop. Verrocchio started his artistic life as a goldsmith and then expanded his repertoire to include painting and sculpture. On the death of Donatello in 1466, Verrocchio stepped into his shoes as the Medicis' favorite artist. This position led to important commissions in later life: providing marble tombs enlivened with animals and plant forms, painted altarpieces, and designs for state receptions. By 1466, he was receiving other prestigious commissions, including a group of Christ and Doubting Thomas {1476-1483} in bronze for the church of Orsanmichele. A year later, he provided the marble tomb for Cosimo di Giovanni de'Medici at the church of San Lorenzo in Florence. Verrocchio's crowning moment was to supply a giant gilded copper ball for the top of Florence Cathedral. Completed in 1471, it secured his fame as an artist of exceptional technical and creative powers. His bronze sculpture The Young David [c. 1475) was a direct response and challenge to Donatello's sculpture of the same subject. Inspired by antique sources and devoted to the study of nature, Verrocchio approached his diverse projects with intelligence and original thought, thus challenging conventions. |
Samples of Work
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