VERROCCHIO, MASTER OF MASTERS

A multifaceted, perfectionist, innovative artist in the Florence of Lorenzo de Medici, Verrocchio generously shared his creativity and skills with many young artists of his time.

It is certainly not by coincidence that Leonardo chose to continue experimenting in Verrocchio’s workshop, that he had entered as a teenager, almost until the age of thirty.

Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Lorenzo di Credi, Luca Signorelli, Bartolomeo della Gatta are some of the Renaissance stars in Verrocchio entourage.

Andrea di Cione (Florence 1435 – Venice 1488), son of a brick-maker, must have studied sculpture in the workshop of old Donatello under the direction of Desiderio da Settignano.

He must have become a goldsmith under Giuliano Verrocchi, whose last name Andrea took as his own. But there are no documents proving this artistic connection.

Later in his life Verrocchio studied painting as well, most probably together with Sandro Botticelli at the workshop of Fra Filippo Lippi in Prato, a city near Florence.

The major exhibition is at Palazzo Strozzi, with an important section at the ‘Bargello’, Florence’s National Museum, dedicated to sculpture. From March 9th until July 14th, 2019.

Verrocchio’s school can only be compared to those of Giotto, Donatello and Raphael. He forged a generation of artists that carried forth and spread his experiences and achievements.

As a result, it is extremely difficult for scholars to attribute the single works of the many artists that dealt with this leading workshop. The debate continues to our days.

Verrocchio’s teaching gave life to a team of painters and sculptors who spread the style of the Florentine Renaissance, synonymous of natural beauty and refined elegance.

The exhibit stars 11 sections, 9 at Palazzo Strozzi and 2 at the Bargello, curated by Francesco Caglioti and Andrea De Marchi, top 15th century art specialists.

Patrons of the exhibition: Palazzo Strozzi, Bargello Museums, National Gallery of Washington DC, that from 29 September 2019 to 2 February 2020 will host a special version of the show.

The 120 works come from major museums & private collections including the Met of N.Y., the Washington National Gallery, the Louvre, the Rijksmuseum of Amsterdam, the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Not to be missed two of Verrocchio’s most celebrated sculptures: ‘David’ from the Museo del Bargello, and the ‘Boy with Dolphin’, from Palazzo Vecchio, freshly restored.

Verrocchio’s innovative and exquisite ‘Bust of a Lady’ (Lady with Flowers) is exhibited next to Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Study of Female Hands’, from the London Royal Collection.

A moment of reflection will be necessary in front of a small sculptural group from the Victoria & Albert Museum, now for the first time attributed to a very young Leonardo da Vinci!

At the Bargello: Verrocchio’s bronze masterpiece, the huge ‘Incredulity of St. Thomas’, formerly on the main façade of Orsanmichele; its completion lasted 20 years.

Amongst the paintings two versions of the Madonna and Child, on loan from Berlin, and Tobias and the Angel and the Madonna and Child with Angels, from the National Gallery in London.

If you’re interested in a private visit to the Verrocchio exhibition please contact us at info@walksinsideitaly.com. We can provide you with the exhibition’s admissions and with a professional guide service.

If you want to learn more about 15th century Florentine Sculpture you might be interested in booking our THE GOLDEN AGE OF FLORENTINE SCULPTURE TOUR

If you’d like to see Bartolomeo Colleoni’s bronze statue, Verrocchio’s absolute masterpiece in Venice, you might also want to visit our Walks inside Venice page.