Alessandro Algardi

Algardi, Alessandro

Algardi, Alessandro (b Bologna, 31 July 1598; d Rome, 10 June 1654). Italian sculptor. He had his initial training in the Carracci academy in Bologna, and in 1625 he settled in Rome, where he became, apart from Bernini, the leading sculptor of the day. During the pontificate of Innocent X ( Giambattista Pamphili), 1644–55, Bernini was out of favour and Algardi replaced him at the papal court. His three most prestigious commissions were the tomb of Leo XI (1634–44) and the huge relief of Pope Leo Driving Attila from Rome (1646–53), both in St Peter's, Rome, and the free-standing group of The Decapitation of St Paul (1641–7) in S. Paolo, Bologna. He was a prolific sculptor of portrait busts, and these are his works that are now generally most admired—indeed he ranks as one of the greatest portrait sculptors of all time. His style was more sober and classical than Bernini's (although portraits have occasionally been disputed between them), reflecting his Bolognese upbringing, his work as a restorer of antique statuary, and his friendship with artists such as Domenichino, Duquesnoy, Poussin, and Sacchi. In his early career Algardi worked mainly in stucco and terracotta (Bologna lacked local stone), but he became a highly sensitive carver in marble. He was also an accomplished draughtsman (he made designs for engravers) and in addition worked as an architect, although his activity in this field is unclear. He ran a busy studio and copies and casts of his work continued to be made long after his death.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

IAN CHILVERS. "Algardi, Alessandro." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "Algardi, Alessandro." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-AlgardiAlessandro.html

IAN CHILVERS. "Algardi, Alessandro." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-AlgardiAlessandro.html

Learn more about citation styles

Algardi, Alessandro

Algardi, Alessandro (1598–1654). Italian sculptor, born in Bologna, where he had his initial training in the Carracci academy. He settled in Rome in 1625 and became, apart from Bernini, the leading sculptor in the city. During the pontificate of Innocent X (1644–55) Bernini was out of favour and Algardi replaced him at the papal court. His three most prestigious commissions were the tomb of Leo XI (1634–44) and the huge relief of Pope Leo Driving Attila from Rome (1646–53), both in St Peter's, Rome, and the free-standing group of The Decapitation of St Paul (1641–7) in S. Paolo, Bologna. He was a prolific sculptor of portrait busts, and these are his works that are now generally most admired—indeed he ranks as one of the greatest portrait sculptors of all time. His style was more sober and classical than Bernini's (although portraits have occasionally been disputed between them), reflecting his Bolognese upbringing, his work as a restorer of antique statuary, and his friendship with artists such as Domenichino, Duquesnoy, Poussin, and Sacchi. In his early career Algardi worked mainly in stucco and terracotta (Bologna lacked local stone), but he became a highly sensitive carver in marble. He was also an accomplished draughtsman (he made designs for engravers) and in addition worked as an architect, although his activity in this field is unclear. He ran a busy studio and copies and casts of his work continued to be made long after his death.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

IAN CHILVERS. "Algardi, Alessandro." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "Algardi, Alessandro." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-AlgardiAlessandro.html

IAN CHILVERS. "Algardi, Alessandro." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-AlgardiAlessandro.html

Learn more about citation styles

Alessandro Algardi

Alessandro Algardi , 1595–1654, Italian sculptor and designer, b. Bologna. He studied under Lodovico Carracci. In Rome his friend Domenichino obtained his first commissions for him, the Magdalene and St. John statues for San Silvestro al Quirinale. When Bernini temporarily fell from favor, Algardi replaced him c.1644 as the most important sculptor in Rome under Pope Innocent X and received numerous commissions, including some from Spain. Although greatly influenced by Bernini, he retained the classical inclination of the Bolognese in his work, lacking Bernini's emotional vitality. An example of Algardi's work in relief is The Meeting of Leo and Attila (St. Peter's). A few prints in the style of Agostino Carracci are attributed to Algardi.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Alessandro Algardi." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Alessandro Algardi." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Algardi.html

"Alessandro Algardi." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Algardi.html

Learn more about citation styles

Algardi, Alessandro

Algardi, Alessandro (1598–1654). A native of Bologna who settled in Rome, he designed the Villa Doria-Pamphíli (1640s), situated in beautiful gardens outside the Porta San Pancrazio. He was a successful sculptor.

Bibliography

Montagu (1985)

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "Algardi, Alessandro." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "Algardi, Alessandro." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-AlgardiAlessandro.html

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "Algardi, Alessandro." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-AlgardiAlessandro.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Old Masters exhibit from stunning Italian collection: 12 seldom-seen works a...
Newspaper article from: The Washington Times (Washington, DC); 6/16/1996
Italian hours: in October, the great doors of the Palazzo Corsini open to the...
Magazine article from: Apollo; 9/1/2011
Bernini and the birth of Baroque portrait sculpture.(Brief article)(Book review)
Magazine article from: Reference &amp; Research Book News; 11/1/2008

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of Algardi, Alessandro