Benedetto da Maiano facts for kids
Benedetto da Maiano (born in 1442 – died on May 24, 1497) was an important Italian Early Renaissance sculptor. He was known for creating beautiful works of art, especially with marble. He lived during the 15th century, a time when art and culture were flourishing in Italy.
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Who Was Benedetto da Maiano?
Benedetto was born in a small village called Maiano, which is now part of Fiesole, Italy. He began his career working with his older brother, Giuliano da Maiano, who was an architect. Together, they learned a lot about building and design.
When Benedetto was about 30 years old, he started to train with a famous sculptor named Antonio Rossellino. This is where he learned how to work with marble. Benedetto became so skilled that he soon became even more famous than his teacher! He became one of the most important sculptors of his time.
Early Works and New Materials
At first, Benedetto was very good at making art using wood-mosaic. This means he created pictures and designs by fitting together small pieces of wood. One of his famous early works was for the Studiolo of Federico da Montefeltro.
Once, King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary invited Benedetto to his royal court. Benedetto was taking some of his wood inlay work to the king. But during the journey, some of his delicate wood art got damaged. This made him decide to work with stronger materials, like marble, that would last longer.
Famous Sculptures and Buildings
Benedetto created many religious sculptures. One of his first known works was a special shrine for San Savino in the cathedral of Faenza. He also made portraits of important people from Florence. For example, in 1474, he sculpted a bust (a sculpture of a head and shoulders) of Pietro Mellini. You can see it in the Bargello museum today.
In 1475, Benedetto worked with his brother Giuliano on the Collegiata church in San Gimignano. Benedetto's main contribution was a beautifully carved altar in the chapel of Santa Fina.
One of his most famous works is the marble pulpit (a raised platform for speaking) in the Santa Croce church in Florence. This is considered his masterpiece! The pulpit shows scenes from the life of St. Francis of Assisi.
In 1480, he also designed the doorway framework for the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. Around the same time, he and his brother Giuliano built a small chapel called the Madonna dell'Olivo outside Prato. Benedetto also created the sculpture of the young St. John that is now in the Bargello museum.
Architectural Designs
Benedetto was not just a sculptor; he was also a talented architect. In 1489, he designed the famous Strozzi Palace in Florence. This grand palace is still standing today!
It is believed that Benedetto traveled to Naples in 1490. There, he finished some projects that another sculptor, Rossellino, had started in the Sant'Anna church. He also made several sculptures in Naples, including an Annunciation (a scene showing the angel Gabriel telling Mary she would have a baby) for the church of Monte Oliveto.
As an architect, Benedetto also designed the tomb of Filippo Strozzi. This tomb features a roundel (a circular artwork) of Mother and Child, supported by cherubs. You can find it in the church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence. He also designed the portico (a covered walkway) of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Arezzo.
Benedetto da Maiano passed away in Florence when he was 55 years old. His work left a lasting impact on the art and architecture of the Renaissance.
See also
- Master of the Marble Madonnas
In Spanish: Benedetto da Maiano para niños
Images for kids
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Benedetto da Maiano
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St. John the Baptist, a clay sculpture from around 1480.
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Pulpit of Santa Croce in Florence
