|
Andrea del Verrocchio was born in Florence, Italy, in 1435. He was skilled at a number of arts including goldsmithing, painting, architecture and sculpting. His original name was Michele di Francesco de' Cioni, although many sources produce varied spellings. He took the name Verrocchio from his master and goldsmith Giuliano Verrocchio. From there he went on to setup his own workshop, which trained artists in all of his above talents. Besides Perugino, one of his most celebrated students was Leonardo da Vinci.
Verrocchio focused on elaborate details in his works and portrayed women with exceptional grace, especially in portrait busts like Portrait of a Woman. Its most admired quality is the woman's long, elegant hands. However, he is most known for the monument of Bartolomeo Colleoni of Bergamo, a Venetian commander. This was commissioned by the Venetian government. It is said to be one of the greatest equestrian statues ever made and was not cast until after Verrocchio's death (Venice, 1488). The casting was done by Alessandro Leopardi. Other works include the bronze sculpture David and the painting Baptism of Christ, made for the Convent of San Salvi. Leonardo is thought to have painted the angels. Many of Verrocchio's works were commissioned by Piero and his son Lorenzo de' Medici such as the phenomenal Tomb of Piero and Giovanni de' Medici.
His style in sculpture and painting was somewhat hard and crude, as if he had acquired his skill rather by indefatigable study than by any natural gift or facility.
-Giorgio Vasari, Lives of the Painters (1568)
Christ and Doubting Thomas
1467-1483
Orsanmichele, Florence
Tomb of Piero and Giovanni de' Medici
1469-1472
Church of San Lorenzo, Florence
Tobias and the Angel
1470-1480
National Gallery, London
The Baptism of Christ
c.1472-1475
Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy
David
1473-1475
Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
Portrait of a Woman
1475-1480
Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
Bartolomeo Colleoni
c. 1483-1488
Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Venice
|
