Andrea del Verrocchio, Putto Poised on a Globe, c. 1480, terra cruda (unbaked clay). National Gallery of Art, Washington, Andrew W. Mellon Collection.
Verrocchio exhibition at NGA Washington The National Gallery of Art, Washington, presents ‘Verrocchio: Sculptor and Painter of Renaissance Florence’, the first-ever monographic exhibition in the United States on Andrea del Verrocchio (c. 1435–1488). September 15, 2019 through January 12, 2020.]]>
Source: National Gallery of Art, Washington
The exhibition examines the wealth and breadth of Verrocchio’s extraordinary artistry by bringing together some 50 of his masterpieces in painting, sculpture, and drawing that allow viewers to appreciate how his work in each art form stimulated creativity in the others. Groundbreaking technical research explores Verrocchio’s materials and techniques, offering revelations about his artistic choices. Several carefully argued new attributions in different media are proposed in the exhibition.
As a sculptor, Verrocchio was the most important figure in Renaissance art between Donatello and Michelangelo, making works of unprecedented technical accomplishment and breathtaking naturalism and beauty. As a painter, he formed a direct link in the central chain of Florentine painting between his master, Fra Filippo Lippi, and his own pupil, Leonardo da Vinci. As a draftsman, he was a pivotal figure who explored new media techniques and functions of drawing and profoundly influenced Leonardo, Raphael, and others. As a teacher, he headed a studio that became a kind of laboratory for experimentation and innovation and helped lead to the creation of the High Renaissance in the early 16th century. It is no accident that of the founders of the High Renaissance—Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael—one was the pupil of Verrocchio and the other two were trained by pupils of Verrocchio.
“A ‘Renaissance man’ in every way, Andrea del Verrocchio was a pioneering, versatile artist whose talents stood out for their brilliance,” said Kaywin Feldman, director, National Gallery of Art. “We are grateful to the institutions and private collectors, as well as to the Bank of America and to the Buffy and William Cafritz Family Fund, without whom this exhibition would not be possible.”
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