Andrea del Verrocchio

Andrea del Verrocchio (c.1435-1488) was a Florentine sculptor, goldsmith and painter who worked at the court of Lorenzo de Medici. He is considered to be the most influential Florentine painter of his period. His pupils included Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli but he also influenced Michelangelo.

His best-known works include the bronze Christ and St Thomas (c.1465-83) at Orsanmichele, a bronze statue of David (c.1476) (modestly clad, in contrast to Donatello's provocative nude David), and the Colleoni monument (1479-88) in Venice, which is the first equestrian statue in stone to depict one of the horse's legs in a raised position. In other words, the entire weight of the statue is carried on three legs rather than four. The statue is also notable for the carefully-observed expression of stern command upon Colleoni's face.