Verrokko Andrea del (Verrocchio Andrea del)

The proper name of Andrea di Michele Choni (Andrea di Michele Cioni) (1435 or 1436-1488) was born in Florence. He studied at the jeweler Verrokko. The demand for jewelry has prompted him to turn to the decorative carving (one of the first works of the artist in this field - the decoration of the chapel of the cathedral in Orvieto in 1461) and tempera painting. Most of the paintings Verrokko represent the image of the Madonna and Child. The abundance of gold embroidery, tassels and sumptuous jewels in the costumes of his work recalls the original craft artist. In 1463-1470 Verrokko participated in the creation of items of church plate for the cathedral in Florence: he performed the precious vestments (not preserved), bronze chandeliers and gold-plated ball crowning lantern canopy. In 1465 Verrocchio created gravestone of Cosimo de 'Medici, the master was able to capture and bring to life the desire to perpetuate his name Duke. Upon completion of this work, he found a patron in the person of representatives of the Medici family. In 1463-1487 Verrokko executed sculptural group Reassuring Thomas (1476-1483, Florence, Church Orsanmichele; restored in 1986-1993), one of the customers which was Piero de 'Medici. In 1469 the master began work on the tomb of Piero and Giovanni de 'Medici. By request of Lorenzo de 'Medici sculptor made sketches and banners of knights' armor for tournaments 1469, . 1471 and 1475, . created a bronze statue of David (1476, . Florence, . National Museum) and the sculptural composition boy with a dolphin for the fountain in the Medici villa Karedzhi,
. He is the author of a marble bowl for washing (the Church of San Lorenzo in Florence) and the tomb of Cardinal Niccolo Forteguerri in Pistoia. In 1470-1480-ies workshop Verrokko becomes largest art center of Florence. It worked not only aides Verrokko - Raffaello Botticini and Lorenzo di Credi, but more experienced craftsmen, among them Pietro Perugino, Luca Signorelli, Francesco di Simone. Around 1482 the artist went to Venice to work on the equestrian statue of Bartolomeo condottiere Kolleoni. Verrokko died in Venice in 1488, and not having time to cast it in bronze and had completed a draft of the fountain, commissioned by the Hungarian King
. With experience behind him in the jewelry shop, . Verrokko turned to painting and sculpture, . learning from the example of works of ancient art, . as well as their immediate predecessors (primarily Donatello) and contemporaries - Desiderio da Settignano, . Alessio Baldovinetti, . Sandro Botticelli and Antonio Pollaiolo,
. He always sought to bring their works to perfection, which is often used to cause delays in completion. Common interests to the scientific knowledge of the world formed the basis of friendship Verrokko with his great pupil - Leonardo da Vinci.