Italian Sculptors


Major Italian Sculptors

Comacine Masters (c. 600's - c. 1500's)

Medieval guilds of architects, sculptors, builders and craftsmen from Lake Como, Italy. Remembered for preserving classical Roman methods of building inherited from Late Antiquity, and for developing and inventing Romanesque sculpture and decoration. Constructed many churches in Italy, France, Spain, Germany, England and Scandinavia. Their sculptural works include the facade of the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio in Como, the pulpit of the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan, the baptismal font in Massa Marittima Cathedral, the crypt of the Lund Cathedral in Sweden, carvings and sculptures at the Modena Cathedral, the Trento Cathedral, the Basilica of San Fedele in Como and the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore in Pavia, among many others.

Antelami Masters or Intelvesi Masters (900's-1500's)

Branch of the Comacine Masters from Val d'Intelvi, Italy. Remembered for contributing to the development of Genoese Romanesque art and architecture. Their sculptural works include the sculptures and decorations of Genoa Cathedral, the decorations of Fidenza Cathedral, reliefs for the Parma Cathedral and sculptural decorations for the Baptistery of Parma, among many others.

Wiligelmo (c. 1000's-1100's)

Remembered as the most important master of Romanesque sculpture in Italy and for being the first sculptor in Italy to sign his works. Best known for his reliefs on the facade of Modena Cathedral.

Campionese Masters (1100's-1300's)

Branch of the Comacine Masters from Campione, Italy and surrounding area. Remembered for contributing to the transition of Lombard Romanesque sculpture into Gothic sculpture. Their sculptural works include the Tomb of St. Augustine, the facade of Monza Cathedral, the portal of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Bergamo, the pontile of Modena Cathedral, the sculptures of the portals of the Sacristy of Milan Cathedral, the sculptures of the Loggia degli Osii in Milan, the Scaliger Tombs in Verona and the Equestrian Monument of Bernabò Visconti, among many others.

Benedetto Antelami (c. 1150-1230)

Architect and sculptor. Chief of the Comacine Masters. Remembered for contributing to the spread of Gothic art and architecture in Italy, and for synthesizing Gothic with the classical Roman traditions inherited from Late Antiquity. His sculptural works include reliefs for the Parma Cathedral, sculptures for the Fidenza Cathedral, sculptural decorations for the Baptistery of Parma, the main west door of the Basilica of San Marco in Venice and the Holy Face of Lucca.

Nicola Pisano (c. 1220-1284)

Architect and sculptor. Remembered as the father of modern sculpture. His most important sculptural works include the Pulpit of the Baptistery of Pisa, the Pulpit of Siena Cathedral, the Ark of St. Dominic and the Fontana Maggiore in Perugia.

Arnolfo di Cambio (c. 1240-1310)

Architect and sculptor. His most famous sculptural works are the Baldacchino in the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is and the bronze statue of St. Peter in St. Peter's Basilica.

Giovanni Pisano (c. 1248-1315)

Architect and sculptor. His most notable sculptural works are the Pulpit of Pisa Cathedral, the Pulpit of Sant'Andrea in Pistoia, sculptures for the facade of Siena Cathedral and the Fontana Maggiore in Perugia.

Andrea Pisano (1290-1348)

Architect and sculptor. His most important sculptural works are the bronze south doors of the Baptistery of Florence, reliefs for Florence Cathedral and reliefs for the Campanile of the Florence Cathedral, known as Giotto's Campanile.

Orcagna (c. 1310-1368)

Architect, painter and sculptor. His most celebrated sculptural work is the Tabernacle of Orsanmichele in Florence, which is considered the one of the greatest expressions of Italian Gothic.

Jacopo della Quercia (c. 1347-1438)

Considered a precursor of Michelangelo. His principle works include the Tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, the Porta Magna of the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna ans the Fonte Gaia in Siena.

Lorenzo Ghiberti (1381-1455)

Best remembered as the creator of the bronze doors of the Florence Baptistery, known as the Gates of Paradise. His other works include the doors of the northern portal of the Florence Baptistery and bronze statues of St. John the Baptist, St. Matthew and St. Stephen, among others.

Donatello (c. 1386-1466)

Remembered as the greatest sculptor of the Early Renaissance. His best known works include two statues of David, a statue of St. Mark, the Penitent Magdalene and the Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata.

Michelozzo Michelozzi (1396-1472)

Architect and sculptor. His principle sculptural works include the Tomb of Antipope John XXIII, the Tomb of Cardinal Rainaldo Brancacci and the statue of St. John the Baptist on the Silver Altar of the Baptistery of San Giovanni.

Luca della Robbia (c. 1400-1482)

Remembered for inventing the technique of producing colorful, tin-glazed terracotta statuary. His most famous works are the Nativity in glazed terracotta, the Madonna and Child in glazed terracotta and the Cantoria for the Florence Cathedral.

Filarete (c. 1400-1469)

Architect, sculptor, medallist and architectural theorist. Although best known as an architect, he also cast the bronze central doors for Old St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and made a small bronze copy of the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius.

Bernardo Rossellino (1409-1464)

Architect and sculptor. Best remembered for establishing a new style of tomb monument. His most notable works include the Tomb of Leonardo Bruni and the Tomb of the Cardinal of Portugal.

Andrea Bregno (c. 1418-1503)

Architect and sculptor. Considered the greatest representative of Lombard sculpture in the 15th century. Remembered for his numerous funerary tombs. His works include the Piccolomini Altar in the Siena Cathedral and the Tomb of Cardinal Louis d'Albret, among many others.

Francesco Laurana (c. 1430-1502)

Considered one of the most important sculptors of the 15th century. His works include reliefs for the Triumphal Arch of Castel Nuovo in Naples, the Bust of Eleanor of Aragon, the Bust of Isabella of Aragon and the Bust of a Princess, among many others.

Andrea del Verrocchio (c. 1435-1488)

Painter, sculptor, and goldsmith. Best remembered for the Equestrian Statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni in Venice.

Francesco di Giorgio Martini (1439-1501)

Architect, painter, engineer, sculptor and medallist. Although best known for his engineering and architectural works, he was also a prominent sculptor. His most famous sculptural works are the bronze angels for the high altar of the Siena Cathedral.

Giuliano da Sangallo (1445-1516)

Architect, sculptor and military engineer. Although best known for his engineering and architectural works, he was also an accomplished sculptor. His best known sculptural work is the relief for the Palazzo della Gherardesca in Florence.

Giovanni Antonio Amadeo (1447-1522)

Architect, sculptor and engineer. His sculptural works include the Tomb of Bartolomeo Colleoni, the main portal of the Lugano Cathedral and decorations and sculptures for the Certosa di Pavia.

Andrea Sansovino (c. 1467-1529)

Architect and sculptor. His most notable work is the marble screen around the Holy House of Loreto, designed by Donato Bramante. His other major work is The Baptism of Christ above the Gates of Paradise of the Florence Baptistery.

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564)

Renaissance polymath. Besides being a famed painter and architect, he also created some of the most iconic sculptures and symbols of the Renaissance, including the Pietà and the statue of David. His other sculptures include the Madonna of Bruges, the Risen Christ, the Tomb of Pope Julius II, and the Tomb of Giuliano de' Medici, among many others.

Jacopo Sansovino (1486-1570)

Architect and sculptor. His masterpiece is the Biblioteca Marciana in Venice, which is one of Venice's most richly decorated Renaissance structures. His other sculptural works include the reliefs of the Loggetta del Sansovino at St. Mark's Campanile, the statues and reliefs for St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, the Double Tomb of Antonio Orso and Cardinal Giovanni Michiel and the Tomb of Doge Francesco Venier, among many others.

Baccio Bandinelli (1493-1560)

One of the first Mannerist sculptors. Remembered for introducing the historiated pedestal (relief panels on the pedestal of statues). His major work is the sculpture of Hercules and Cacus. His other works include the Tomb of Pope Leo X, the Tomb of Pope Clement VII, the Monument to Giovanni delle Bande Nere and the Pietà in the Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata in Florence, among others.

Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571)

Renaissance polymath. Best known as a painter, sculptor and goldsmith. One of the most important artists of Mannerism. His most celebrated sculptural work is the bronze sculpture of Perseus with the Head of Medusa.

Francesco Primaticcio (1504-1570)

Painter, sculptor, stuccoist and architect. Remembered as one of the leading artists of the First School of Fontainebleau and for introducing stucco work to France. His most notable sculptural work is the stucco overdoor in the Apartments of the Duchesse d'Etampes inside the Palace of Fontainebleau in France.

Bartolomeo Ammannati (1511-1592)

Architect and sculptor. Considered one of the most important artists of the 16th century. His most famous sculptural work is the Fountain of Neptune in Florence.

Giacomo della Porta (1531-1602)

Architect and sculptor. Although best remembered as an architect, he also designed and/or sculpted the statues on several Roman fountains, including the Fontana del Moro, the Fontana delle Tartarughe and the Fountain of the Pantheon. His other sculptural works include the Funerary Monument of the Cybo Family and the sculpture of Christ Delivering the Keys of Heaven to St. Peter, located on the altar of the Chapel of San Pietro in the Basilica of Santa Pudenziana in Rome.

Alessandro Algardi (1598-1654)

One of the leading Roman sculptors of 17th century. His major works include the Tomb of Pope Leo XI, a statue of Pope Innocent X and the Fuga d'Attila in St. Peter's Basilica.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680)

Architect and sculptor. Recognized as the father of Baroque sculpture. His most famous works are the Baldacchino in St. Peter's Basilica, the Chair of St. Peter, the Ecstasy of St. Teresa, the Funerary Monument of Blessed Ludovica Albertoni, Apollo and Daphne, the statues over the Colonnades of St. Peter's Square and the Angels of Ponte Sant'Angelo in Rome.

Antonio Canova (1757-1822)

Widely considered to be the greatest Neoclassical artist. His most notable works are Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss, Napoleon as Mars the Peacemaker, Perseus Triumphant, Venus Victrix and The Three Graces.



Minor Italian Sculptors

Vulca (500's - c. 400's BC)

The only Etruscan sculptor whose name survives. His most famous work was a terracotta statue of Jupiter that was inside the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill in Rome. The Apollo of Veii is also attributed to him.

Master Ursus / Maestro Orso (600's - 700's)

One of the earliest Italian architects to record his name on his works. Remembered for crafting the altar in the Abbey of San Pietro in Valle in Ferentillo and the ciborium of the Pieve di San Giorgio di Valpolicella in Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella.

Cosmati Family (1100's - 1200's)

Family of architects, sculptors and mosaicists. Remembered for developing the Cosmatesque or Cosmati style of flooring.

Bonanno Pisano (c. 1150 - c. 1200)

Remembered for constructing San Ranieri's Door on Pisa Cathedral and the bronze doors of Monreale Cathedral.

Guglielmo Agnelli (c. 1238-1313)

Sculptor, architect and Dominican lay brother. Remembered for collaborating with Nicola Pisano on the Ark of St. Dominic.

Lorenzo Maitani (c. 1275–1330)

Primary sculptor responsible for the construction and decoration of the facade of Orvieto Cathedral.

Tino di Camaino (c. 1285 - c. 1337)

Became chief builder of the Pisa Cathedral in 1315. Developed the style of Arnolfo di Cambio and Giovanni Pisano. Remembered for his numerous funerary tombs.

Bonino da Campione (c. 1325-1397)

One of the greatest masters of Gothic sculpture from 1350-1390. His major works are the Equestrian Monument of Bernabò Visconti and the upper part of the Scaliger Tombs in Verona.

Nino Pisano (c. 1315 - c. 1370)

One of the most important sculptors of the 14th century. His works include the Madonna of Trapani, the Madonna and Child for the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, the Madonna and Child for the Tomb of Doge Marco Corner, and the Tomb of Archbishop Saltarelli, among others.

Giovanni Bono (c. 1360 - c. 1443)

Sculptor and architect. Remembered for his work on the Doge's Palace in Venice, particularly the Porta della Carta and the Arco Foscari.

Nanni di Banco (c. 1380-1421)

Contributed to the transition from Gothic to Renaissance sculpture. His most celebrated work is the Four Crowned Martyrs for the Church of Orsanmichele in Florence.

Giusti Family / Juste Family (1400's - 1500's)

Family of sculptors who worked primarily in France. Regarded as the most brilliant representatives and the most active emissaries of Italian art beyond the Alps. Their most notable work is the Tomb of Louis XII of France and Anne of Brittany, sculpted by Giusto dei Giusti (Juste de Juste).

Bartolomeo Bono (c. 1405/1410 - c. 1464/1467)

Sculptor and architect. Remembered for his work on the Doge's Palace in Venice, particularly the Porta della Carta and the Arco Foscari. He also finished the decoration of the Ca' d'Oro in Venice and built the portal of the Scuola Grande di San Marco in Venice.

Vecchietta (1410-1480)

Painter, sculptor, goldsmith and architect. His major sculptural work is the bronze ciborium of Siena Cathedral.

Agostino di Duccio (1418 - c. 1481)

Remembered for the marble facade of the Oratory of San Bernardino in Perugia.

Niccolò di Giovanni Fiorentino (1418-1506)

Sculptor and architect. Remembered for his works in Venice and Dalmatia, including the Tomb of Doge Francesco Foscari, the decorations in the Chapel of Blessed Giovanni Orsini in Traù and the sculptures on the San Giacomo Cathedral in Sebenico.

Antonio Federighi (c. 1420/1425-1483)

Sculptor and architect. Considered one of the greatest artists of the Sienese Renaissance. Chief architect of Siena Cathedral from 1450-1480. Chief architect of Orvieto Cathedral from 1451-1456. His sculptural works include the holy water font in Siena Cathedral, statues for the Loggia della Mercanzia in Siena and the carvings on roof of the Cappella di Piazza in Siena, among others.

Domenico Gagini (1425-1492)

Founder of the Sicilian branch of the Gagini dynasty, a family of sculptors, architects and painters who worked in Genoa and Sicily. His most notable work is the decoration of the choir in Palermo Cathedral.

Antonio Rossellino (1427-1479)

Remembered for the sharpness and fineness of his bas-relief. His most important works are the Tomb of Blessed Beato Marcolino Amanni and the Tomb of Cardinal James of Portugal.

Mino da Fiesole (1429-1484)

Remembered for his portrait busts. His other works include the Tomb of Ugo of Toscany and the Tabernacle of the Chapel of the Miracle of the Sacrament in the Church of Sant'Ambrogio in Florence, among others.

Desiderio da Settignano (c. 1430-1464)

Remembered for his busts of children and devotional reliefs. His other works include the Penitent Magdalene and the Tomb of Carlo Marsuppini, among many others.

Antonio del Pollaiuolo (c. 1431-1498)

Painter, sculptor, engraver and goldsmith. His sculptural works include the Cross of the Treasure of San Giovanni, the Tomb of Pope Sixtus IV and the Tomb of Pope Innocent VIII, among others.

Niccolò dell'Arca (c. 1435-1494)

Remembered for sculpting the Lamentation over the Dead Christ and the upper part of the Ark of St. Dominic.

Andrea della Robbia (1435-1525)

Sculptor and ceramist. Remembered for his terracotta sculptures. His works include the Madonna with Child and Angels in glazed terracotta, the Crucifixion of Christ in glazed terracotta and the Assumption of Mary in glazed terracotta, among many others

Matteo Civitali (1436-1502)

Sculptor, architect and engineer. His most memorable work is the Temple of the Holy Face in the Lucca Cathedral.

Gregorio di Lorenzo (c. 1436-1504)

Remembered as the Master of the Marble Madonnas.

Benedetto da Maiano (1442-1497)

Sculpture and architect. One of the most important sculptors of the 15th century. Among his most celebrated sculptural works is the Pulpit of the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence.

Giovanni Antonio Amadeo (1447-1522)

Sculptor, architect and engineer. Although best remembered as an architect, he was also a celebrated sculptor. His sculptural works include sculptures and decorations on the Certosa di Pavia and the facade of the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli in Brescia, among others.

Guido Mazzoni (1450-1518)

Sculptor and painter. His best known works are the Adoration of the Shepherds in terracotta and Lamentation over the Dead Christ in terracotta.

Pietro Lombardo (1435-1515)

Architect and sculptor. One of the most important sculptors in Venice in the 15th and 16th centuries. Chief sculptor of the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli in Venice from 1481-1489. Chief sculptor of the Church of San Giobbe in Venice. Among his most celebrated works are the Monument to Doge Pietro Mocenigo and the Monument to Doge Pasquale Malipiero.

Tullio Lombardo (c. 1455-1532)

Architect and sculptor. Among his most celebrated works are the Monument to Doge Pietro Mocenigo, which he co-sculpted with his father Pietro Lombardo, the Monument to Doge Andrea Vendramin, which he co-sculpted with his brother Antonio Lombardo, the Monument to Doge Giovanni Mocenigo, , the Bust of Christ, the Sculpture of Adam and the Young Warrior.

Antonio Lombardo (c.1458-1516)

Remembered for his bas-reliefs in the Basilica of Sant'Antonio in Padua and the Monument to Doge Andrea Vendramin, which he co-sculpted with his brother Tullio Lombardo.

Benedetto Briosco (c. 1460 - c. 1517)

Remembered for his work on the facade of the Certosa di Pavia.

Alessandro Leopardi (1466-1512)

Sculptor and architect. Remembered for completing the Andrea del Verrocchio's Equestrian Statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni in Venice.

Domenico Fancelli (1469–1519)

Credited with introducing Renaissance art to Spain.

Gaudenzio Ferrari (c. 1475/1480-1546)

Sculptor and painter. His most notable sculptural works are his statues at the Sacro Monte di Varallo.

Antonello Gagini (1478-1536)

Sculptor and architect. One of the most important sculptors of Renaissance in Sicily. His works include the Madonna della neve, the Madonna di Trapani, the Madonna dell'Udienza and the Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor, among many others.

Giovanni da Nola (1488-1558)

Sculptor and architect. His main works include the Tomb of Don Pedro de Toledo, the Tomb of Ramon de Cardona and the Altar of Santa Maria della Neve.

Gasparo Cairano (c. 1489 - c. 1517)

His works include the Ark of Sant'Appollonio and the Ark of San Tiziano, among others.

Marco d'Agrate (c. 1504 - c. 1574)

Best known for the statue of St. Bartholomew Flayed in Milan Cathedral.

Raffaello da Montelupo (c. 1504/1505 – c. 1566/1567)

Sculptor and architect. Best known for the statue of St. Michael the Archangel for Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome.

Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli (1507-1563)

Sculptor and Servite friar. His most famous works are the Fountain of Orion and the Fountain of Neptune in Messina.

Leone Leoni (1509-1590)

Sculptor and medallist. Best known for his bronze sculpture of Emperor Charles V.

Alessandro Vittoria (1525-1608)

One of the main representatives of Venetian classical style and one of the leading sculptors of the 16th century. His works include the statues of St. Zachary, St. Anthony the Great, St. Roch, St. Sebastian, St. John the Evangelist, and his own funerary monument.

Pellegrino Tibaldi (1527-1596)

Architect, sculptor and painter. His most important sculptural work is the Ciborium in Milan Cathedral.

Vincenzo Danti (1530-1576)

Best known for his statue of Pope Julius III.

Flaminio Vacca (1538-1605)

Best known for sculpting one of the Medici lions.

Pietro Bernini (1562-1629)

Best known as the father of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. His most notable work is the Fontana della Barcaccia in Rome.

Stefano Maderno (c. 1576-1636)

His most important work is The Martyrdom of Saint Cecilia.

Francesco Mochi (1580-1654)

One of the first baroque sculptors. His best known work is the statue of St. Veronica in St. Peter's Basilica.

Cosimo Fanzago (1591-1678)

Architect and sculptor. Regarded as the greatest baroque sculptor in Naples. His works include the Spire of San Domenico, the Spire of San Gennaro, the Spire of Gesù Nuovo and the Gate of Cosimo Fanzago, among many others.

Andrea Bolgi (1605-1656)

Remembered for his statue of St. Helena in St. Peter's Basilica.

Ercole Ferrata (1610-1686)

Remembered for his Angel with a Cross on Ponte Sant'Angelo in Rome.

Giuseppe Zimbalo (1620-1710)

Architect and sculptor. The most prominent representative of Lecce Baroque. He designed the facade of the Basilica of San Giovanni Battista al Rosario in Lecce, part of the facade of the Basilica of Santa Croce in Lecce and the upper facade of the Cathedral of Sant'Agata in Gallipoli. He also sculpted the Column of St. Oranzo in Lecce.

Domenico Guidi (1625-1701)

Remembered for his Angel with the Lance on Ponte Sant'Angelo in Rome.

Giuseppe Mazzuoli (1644-1725)

His best known work is the statue of St. Philip in the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.

Giacomo Serpotta (1652-1732)

His works include the statues in the Oratory of the Rosary of St. Dominic in Palermo, the statues in the Oratory di San Lorenzo in Palermo and a stucco relief of the Battle of Lepanto, among many others.

Camillo Rusconi (1658-1728)

His masterpieces are the four statues of St. Matthew, St. Andrew, St.James the Great and St. John the Evangelist in the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.

Domenico Antonio Vaccaro (1678-1745)

Architect, sculptor and painter. His most notable sculpture is the Guardian Angel. His other works include the sculptures of the San Gennaro Chapel in the Certosa di San Martino in Naples and the busts of the Cloister of the Certosa di San Martino, among others.

Francesco Robba (1698-1757)

Regarded as the leading Baroque sculptor of marble statuary in southeastern Central Europe. His most notable work is the Robba Fountain in Ljubljana.

Pietro Bracci (1700-1773)

Considered one of the greatest late Baroque sculptors. His best known work is the statue of Oceanus on the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

Giuseppe Sanmartino (1720-1793)

Best known for his Veiled Christ.

Lorenzo Bartolini (1777-1850)

Considered the greatest exponent of Purismo. His most notable work is the Fiducia in Dio.

Adamo Tadolini (1788-1863)

Best known for his statue of St. Paul in St. Peter's Square in Rome.

Giuseppe De Fabris (1790-1860)

Best known for his statue of St. Peter outside St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Carlo Marochetti (1805-1867)

Best known for his equestrian statue of Richard Coeur de Lion outside the Palace of Westminster in London and the equestrian monument of Emanuele Filiberto in Turin.

Santo Varni (1807-1885)

Best known for the Statue of Faith in the Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno in Genoa.

Giovanni Strazza (1818-1875)

Best known for The Veiled Virgin.

Enrico Pazzi (1818-1899)

Best known for his Monument to Dante in the Piazza Santa Croce in Florence and the Prince Mihailo Monument in Belgrade, Serbia.

Ignazio Jacometti (1819-1883)

His most important works are the Kiss of Judas, the Ecce Homo and the statue of Moses for the Column of the Immacolata in Rome.

Giulio Monteverde (1837-1917)

Best known for the Monteverde Angel in the Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno in Genoa..

Giulio Tadolini (1849-1918)

Best known for the Tomb of Pope Leo XIII.

Giuseppe Moretti (1857-1935)

Remembered as the first man to use aluminum in art. His most notable work is the Vulcan Statue in Birmingham, Alabama, which is the largest cast iron statue in the world.

Piccirilli Brothers (1800's-1900's)

Family of marble carvers and sculptors. Remembered for carving a large number of the most significant marble sculptures in the United States, including the colossal statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the carvings on the Washington Square Arch in New York City, the lions of the New York Public Library, the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, and many others.

Arturo Di Modica (1941-present)

His most notable work is the Charging Bull in Bowling Green, New York City.