Andrea Pisano

Key facts

Lived

1290–1348, Italian^[1]

Wikipedia

View article

• What is Andrea Pisano known for?+

  Andrea Pisano is known for producing the first monumental bronze doors made in Italy since antiquity. He sculpted 28 scenes from the life of Saint John the Baptist for the doors of the Florence Baptistery.
• What is Andrea Pisano's most famous work?+

  Andrea Pisano is best known for his work on the south doors of the Baptistery of Florence. He signed the doors, dating them to 1330, although they were not installed until 1336. The doors are made of bronze and include 20 episodes from the life of John the Baptist, Florence's patron saint, along with eight panels representing the theological and cardinal virtues. The doors are designed to be read from top to bottom, moving first down the left side, then down the right. The left door depicts events from the Baptist's public life and preaching, while the right door shows his martyrdom and burial. The figures are rendered in gold against simple backgrounds of buildings and rudimentary scenery. Pisano was also involved with sculptures for the base of Giotto's campanile (bell tower) in Florence. He collaborated closely with Giotto on this project; it is thought that Pisano executed some of the panels on the west side of the tower. One relief, the "smithy scene" showing Tubal Cain, is attributed to Pisano. He also directed construction on the Campanile until about 1343.
• What should I know about Andrea Pisano's prints?+

  Andrea Pisano, born in Pontedera around 1290^[1], was an Italian^[1] sculptor and architect who died in Orvieto in 1348^[1] (or perhaps 1350). Though best known for sculpture, he may have produced drawings, and he worked as a goldsmith. Pisano is celebrated for his work on the first set of bronze doors for the Baptistery in Florence. These doors depict 28 scenes from the life of St John the Baptist, the city's patron saint. Each scene is set within a quatrefoil frame, a fashionable form imported from Gothic France. The figures show refinement and detail, with elegant drapery. Pisano also worked on the Florence Cathedral. He collaborated with Giotto on the Campanile (bell tower). He directed construction on the Campanile until about 1343. The relief with the smithy scene is considered a work by Pisano from this period. It shows Tubal Cain, the biblical metalworker. Later in his career, Pisano directed building work on the cathedral in Orvieto. His son, Nino Pisano, took over that role in 1349.
• What style or movement did Andrea Pisano belong to?+

  Andrea Pisano is regarded as an early innovator of Florentine art. He was influenced by Giotto, who was active as a painter. Pisano's style moved away from that of his master, Giovanni Pisano. Andrea's figures and scenes exhibit simplicity and directness, which points to Giotto's influence. However, Andrea was a master in his own right, and his work displays a free movement of the human body. Giotto, in contrast, pursued an ideal of static dignity. Andrea collaborated with Giotto on sculptures for the base of Giotto's campanile in Florence. Some assert that the seven panels on the west face of the campanile are mainly by Giotto. The reliefs tell the story of man's inventions and occupations. Andrea directed construction of the Campanile until about 1343. A relief with a smithy scene is considered a work by Andrea from this period. It shows Tubal Cain, a biblical metalworker. In his sculptures, Pisano's figures have elegant, curving swathes of drapery. He influenced Donatello, Ghiberti, and Luca della Robbia.
• What techniques or materials did Andrea Pisano use?+

  Andrea Pisano, also known as Andrea da Pontedera, was a 14th-century Italian^[1] sculptor and architect. He is best known for his work in bronze, particularly the south doors of the Baptistery of Florence. Pisano's bronze-casting technique involved the lost-wax method. A wax model was created, encased in a mould, and then molten bronze was poured in to replace the wax. The bronze was then cooled, the mould broken, and the surface finished by chasing and polishing. The doors of the Florence Baptistery consist of 28 panels depicting the life of John the Baptist. These panels show Pisano's skill in composition and his attention to detail in the drapery and figures. In addition to bronze, Andrea Pisano also worked with marble. He is credited with the design of the sculptural decoration of Giotto's Campanile (bell tower) in Florence, although much of the actual carving was done by his workshop and later artists. These marble reliefs demonstrate Pisano's ability to translate his style into different materials. He combined traditional techniques with innovative approaches to create works of great artistic merit.
• What was Andrea Pisano known for?+

  Andrea Pisano (c. 1290^[1]-1348^[1]) was an Italian^[1] sculptor and architect, known for his bronze castings and his association with the early Renaissance painter Giotto. He signed his name as "Andrea son of Ugolino son of Nino of Pisa made me in the Year of the Lord 1330". Pisano's most famous work is the south doors of the Baptistery in Florence. Installed in 1336, the doors consist of 28 panels, with 20 depicting scenes from the life of St John the Baptist, Florence's patron saint, and eight showing the theological and cardinal virtues. Each scene is set within a quatrefoil frame, a fashionable form imported from Gothic France. Pisano's figures are executed with curving swathes of drapery. Around 1334, Pisano also collaborated with Giotto on the sculptures adorning the base of Giotto's Campanile (bell tower) in Florence. Art historians believe Pisano directed construction of the Campanile until about 1343. After 1347, he directed building work on the cathedral in Orvieto. He likely died in 1348.
• When did Andrea Pisano live and work?+

  Andrea Pisano was born in Pontedera around 1290^[1] and died in Orvieto in 1348^[1] or 1350. He was a sculptor and architect, best known for his work in Florence and Pisa. Pisano's early training was probably as a goldsmith, a skill that lent itself to refinement and detail in his later sculpture. From 1330 to 1336, he created the first set of bronze doors for the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Florence; these doors depict 28 scenes from the life of St John the Baptist within a quatrefoil frame, a fashionable Gothic form imported from France. Around this time, Pisano collaborated with Giotto on sculptures for the base of the Campanile at Florence Cathedral. From about 1343, Pisano directed building work on the Campanile. After 1347, he directed building work on the cathedral in Orvieto, a role his son Nino Pisano took over in July 1349.
• Where can I see Andrea Pisano's work?+

  Andrea Pisano's work can be viewed in several locations, primarily in Italy. The gilded bronze doors he created for the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Florence are a major work. These doors depict 28 scenes from the life of St John the Baptist; the relief shows St John baptising people in the River Jordan. He also contributed to the Florence Cathedral, including a relief of Tubal Cain (the biblical metalworker) for the Campanile. This can now be seen at the Museo dell' Opera del Duomo in Florence. Pisano directed construction work on Orvieto Cathedral between 1347 and 1349. A *Madonna and Child* (circa 1343-47), is at the Museo Nazionale di San Matteo in Pisa. There are also three signed sculptures by his son Nino (influenced by Andrea) in Florence, Venice, and Oristano in Sardinia.
• Where was Andrea Pisano from?+

  Andrea Pisano's origins are debated; the 'Pisano' suffix is likely an indication of his origins, but not definitive proof. Giorgio Vasari, in his *Lives of the Artists*, stated Andrea was born in Pontedera, a town under the control of Pisa. Other sources suggest Andrea was from Pisa itself. The sculptor and architect Lorenzo Ghiberti, in his *Commentarii*, claimed Andrea was a Pisan citizen. This is a slightly earlier source than Vasari. What is certain is that Andrea's career was closely associated with Florence. He is documented there from 1330 onwards. He is best known for his work on the south doors of the Florence Baptistery. These doors, depicting the life of John the Baptist, were completed in 1336. Andrea's workshop also produced sculptures for the Florence Campanile (bell tower), designed by Giotto. In 1347, Andrea Pisano became the Master of the Works of Orvieto Cathedral, where he designed sculptures and architectural elements. He remained in Orvieto until his death in 1349.
• Who did Andrea Pisano influence?+

  Andrea Pisano's work influenced artists such as Donatello, Ghiberti, and Luca della Robbia. Pisano's bronze doors for the Baptistery at Florence, completed in 1336, display a delicacy and lyrical fluency that set a new standard. The doors, depicting scenes from the life of St John the Baptist, are set within a quatrefoil frame, a fashionable form imported from Gothic France. His skill as a goldsmith enabled him to apply refinement and meticulous detail to the figures. Pisano's involvement with the building of the Campanile, from around 1330 until 1343, also demonstrates his influence. The reliefs on the west side of the Campanile's first story show collaboration between Pisano and Giotto. The vivid three-dimensionality of the architecture and the naturalistic human figure in the reliefs offer insight into their collaboration. Pisano directed construction on the Campanile until about 1343. He also directed building work on the cathedral in Orvieto between 1347 and 1349.
• Who influenced Andrea Pisano?+

  Andrea Pisano's artistic development occurred in Florence, where he was summoned to work on monumental projects. Art historians believe he was influenced by Giotto, a leading innovator. Giotto's noble figures, simple compositions, dramatic approach, and honesty seemingly cast a spell over Andrea. Andrea's work on the Florence Baptistery gate, which includes twenty scenes from the life of St John, demonstrates Giotto's influence. The figures and scenes exhibit a simplicity and directness reminiscent of Giotto. Andrea also collaborated with Giotto on sculptures for the base of Giotto's Campanile. Some scholars suggest Giotto was Andrea's teacher, guiding him towards contemporary trends. Before his Florentine period, Andrea may have trained as a goldsmith, which would have provided him with skills applicable to sculpture. His work displays refinement and meticulous detail. The quatrefoil frames used on the Baptistery doors reflect French Gothic influence.
• Who was Andrea Pisano?+

  Andrea Pisano (c. 1290^[1]-1348^[1]) was an Italian^[1] sculptor and architect, best known for his bronze doors on the south entrance to the Baptistery of Florence. Although born in Pontedera, he is considered a key figure in the development of a distinct Florentine style. Pisano's doors, created between 1330 and 1336, depict twenty-eight scenes; twenty relate episodes from the life of St John the Baptist, Florence's patron saint, and eight represent theological and cardinal virtues. The scenes are set within quatrefoil frames, a fashionable form imported from Gothic France. The artist signed and dated the doors along the top: "ANDREAS UGOLINI NINI DE PISIS ME FECIT AD MCCCXXX" ("Andrea son of Ugolino son of Nino of Pisa made me in the Year of the Lord 1330"). He may have trained as a goldsmith, a skill that would have enabled him to apply refinement and meticulous detail to his figures. Pisano's style was influenced by Giotto, and he collaborated with him on sculptures for the base of Giotto's Campanile (bell tower) in Florence. The extent of each artist's contribution remains uncertain. Andrea Pisano directed building work on Orvieto Cathedral from 1347 until his death. His son, Nino Pisano, also a sculptor, took over this role in 1349.