Michelozzo Michelozzi

Michelozzo Michelozzi , 1396-1472, Italian sculptor, architect, goldsmith, and founder. He was long associated with Donatello and Ghiberti. His first independent sculpture was the Aragazzi Tomb for the cathedral at Montepulciano; some of the statues and reliefs for that work remain in the cathedral, and two angels are in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. His fame rests chiefly on the architectural and decorative works to which he devoted himself after 1435; he shared leadership with Brunelleschi and Alberti in establishing the Renaissance architectural style. Michelozzo's best work was at Florence. The Medici-Riccardi Palace, which he built as architect and art adviser to Cosimo de' Medici, is one of the finest city houses ever built. He also enlarged and rebuilt the Monastery of San Marco and worked on the restoration of the Palazzo Vecchio. In 1446-51 he was director of works, succeeding Brunelleschi of Santa Maria del Fiore. Michelozzo planned or remodeled several villas for the Medici. The one at Fiesole (1458-61), with its terraced gardens, had an important influence upon the design of later villas.

Michelozzo di Bartolommeo (sometimes incorrectly called Michelozzo Michelozzi) (1396–1472). Florentine architect and sculptor. As a sculptor he worked for Ghiberti (on both his sets of doors for the Florentine Baptistery) and in partnership with Donatello (c.1425–c.1433). With Donatello he produced three major tombs—those of the anti-pope John XXIII (1424–8, Baptistery, Florence), Cardinal Rinaldo Brancacci (1426–8, S. Angelo a Nilo, Naples), and Bartolommeo Aragazzi (1427–38, Montepulciano Cathedral, but now disassembled; two angels are in the V&A, London). His style was vigorous and forthright. In his later career Michelozzo worked mainly as an architect, and he ranks as one of the leading figures of the generation after Brunelleschi, whom he succeeded as capomaestro at Florence Cathedral (1446). His most famous building is the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi in Florence (begun 1445), often described as the first Renaissance palace. Michelozzo was influential in spreading the Renaissance style; he worked in Milan, Yugoslavia, and the island of Chios.

Michelozzo di Bartolommeo (sometimes incorrectly called Michelozzo Michelozzi) (b Florence, 1396; bur. Florence 7 Oct. 1472). Florentine architect and sculptor. As a sculptor he worked for Ghiberti (on both his sets of doors for the Baptistery in Florence) and in partnership with Donatello (1425–c.1433). With Donatello he produced three major tombs—those of antipope John XXIII (1424–8, Baptistery, Florence), Cardinal Rinaldo Brancacci (1426–8, S. Angelo a Nilo, Naples), and Bartolommeo Aragazzi (1427–38, Montepulciano Cathedral, but now disassembled; two angels are in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London). His style was vigorous and forthright. In his later career Michelozzo worked mainly as an architect, and he ranks as one of the leading figures of the generation after Brunelleschi, whom he succeeded as capomaestro at Florence Cathedral (1446). His most famous building is the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi in Florence (begun 1445), often described as the first Renaissance palace. Michelozzo was influential in spreading the Renaissance style; he worked in Milan, Yugoslavia, and the island of Chios.