Who was Andrea del Verrocchio?
Q: Who was Andrea del Verrocchio?
A: Andrea del Verrocchio (c. 1435 – 1488) was an Italian sculptor, goldsmith and painter who had an important workshop in Florence.
Q: Where was Verrocchio born?
A: Verrocchio was born in Florence in 1435.
Q: What did his father do for a living?
A: His father, Michele di Francesco Cioni, made tiles and bricks and later worked as a tax collector for the Medici family of bankers before moving to Venice.
Q: How did he get his name?
A: He was originally named Andrea di Francesco di Cioni but changed it to Andrea del Verrocchio when he apprenticed to a goldsmith called Verrocchio (who was likely Francesco di Luca Verrocchio).
Q: What did he learn during his apprenticeship?
A: During his apprenticeship, he learnt how to make jewellery and golden tableware such as plates, dishes, jugs and salt containers. He also learnt how to hammer gold into thin sheets called "gold leaf" which could be used to decorate picture frames, statues and illuminated manuscripts. Additionally, he learnt how to make bronze statues.
Q: Who else worked with him at this time?
A: At this time he met Donatello who became one of the most famous sculptors ever; other Renaissance painters such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and Perugino were also associated with or worked in his workshop; Leonardo da Vinci is perhaps the most famous apprentice of all who worked under him.
Q: What are some of the most famous works by Verrocchio?
A:Verrocchios's bronze statues are some of his most famous works; both he and Donatello made a statue of David with the head of Goliath; both also made a huge statue of a famous soldier on horseback (equestrian statue).
