The analysis of Verrocchio's style is unfailingly sensitive and insightful, revealing for the first time the keys to his revolutionary development. With judicious connoisseurship, Butterfield reshapes our understanding of Verrocchio's oeuvre, excluding a number of traditionally accepted works and making several crucial additions: The result is the first major reconception of Verrocchio's sculpture since Bode's groundbreaking research in the nineteenth century.
Verrocchio was the 15reeminent sculptor in" late fifteenthcentury Florence. In every genre of statuary he made contributions of the greatest significance, and many of his sculptures are considered masterpieces of Italian Renaissance art. A favorite artist of the Medici, and the teacher of Leonardo. da Vinci,Verrocchio, more than any other artist of his generation, was the key link between the innovations of the Quattrocento and the creations of the High Renaissance.This beautiful monograph is the first comprehensive.
Verrocchlo sculptures. Based on new archival, technical, and contextual research, the book thoroughly investigates the style, patronage, function, and iconography of the works. It incorporates dozens of newly discovered documents as well as the results of the recent restoration campaign, during which nearly all of the major sculptures were cleaned. Moreover, through original and innovative modes of inquiry, Butterfield colnpellingly analyzes the lneaning of Verrocchio's sculptures, often with results of broad significance for the understanding of Renaissance art. Butterfield casts new light on a wide range of subjects, froln the iconography of David in Renaissance Florence to the social history of funerary monuments.Verrocchlo " art was deeply rooted in classical tradition, and Butterfield's investigation of this subject is an exemplary study of the revival of ancient art during the Renaissance.
Introduction and Biography
The Sculptures circa I46o-I465
At San Lorenzo
The Christ and St. Thomas
The Sculptures circa i47o
The Sculptures circa I48O
The Monument to Cardinal Forteguerri and Related Works
The Equestrian Monument to Bartolomeo Colleoni
AppendixVerrocchio as Draughtsman, Painter,
and Teacher
Catalogue
Notes
Select Bibliography
Photograph Credits
Index