Andrea della Robbia facts for kids
Andrea della Robbia (born October 20, 1435 – died August 4, 1525) was a famous Italian Renaissance sculptor. He was especially known for his amazing work with ceramics.
Biography
Andrea della Robbia was born in Florence, Italy. His uncle, Luca della Robbia, was also a very famous artist. Luca was known for making sculptures out of a special kind of clay called terra-cotta, which he then covered with a shiny, colorful glaze. This made the art look bright and last a long time.
Andrea learned from his uncle Luca and became his most important student. He became the leading artist of his time for using this special ceramic glaze. Andrea made many more glazed sculptures than his uncle. He also used this art for different parts of buildings, like decorative borders called friezes. He also made beautiful washbasins (called lavabos), fountains, and large altarpieces (called retables).
One of Andrea's most famous works is a series of round artworks called medallions. These medallions show the Infant Jesus in white against a blue background. You can see them on the front of the foundling hospital in Florence. Each baby figure is different and made with great skill.
Andrea also created many sculptures of the Madonna and Child. He often surrounded these with realistic-looking garlands of fruit and flowers. These borders were painted with bright, colorful glazes, while the main figures stayed white. The hospital of San Paolo in Florence also has many beautiful medallions by Andrea. These show saints, two scenes of Christ Healing the Sick, and two detailed portraits.
Many of Andrea's glazed artworks can be found in Arezzo, Italy. These include a large altarpiece in the cathedral. Another great collection of his works is at La Verna, near Arezzo. Some of the best pieces there, like the Annunciation and the Crucifixion, were likely made by Andrea himself. Other works were made by his sons in his workshop.
In 1489, Andrea made a sculpture of the Virgin Mary and two angels. This piece is now above a door in the Florentine Opera del Duomo. He also created a sculpture for the Prato cathedral around the same time. Andrea's workshop continued to create art even after his death, led by his son Giovanni della Robbia.
Works
Some of Andrea della Robbia's important works include:
- The medallions of babies on the Foundling hospital in Florence.
- The Meeting of S. Francis and S. Dominic in the loggia of S. Paolo, Florence.
- The Virgin adoring the Divine Child in the Crib in the Bargello museum.
- The Resurrection of Christ in the S. Bernardino Basilica in L'Aquila.
- The Madonna della Quercia at Viterbo.
- The Coronation of the Virgin altarpiece at La Spezia, Santa Maria Assunta.
- The marble high altar of S. Maria delle Grazie at Arezzo.
- The decorations of the vaulted ceiling and porch of the old Pistoia Cathedral.
- The Crucifixion of Christ and the Assumption of the Virgin at La Verna.
See also
In Spanish: Andrea della Robbia para niños
