Painter and sculptor, 1435 to 1488
Andrea del Verrocchio
Verrocchio ran the busiest workshop in Florence in the 1470s. It turned out bronzes, marbles, paintings and the copper ball on top of the cathedral, and among its apprentices were Leonardo and Perugino.
- Born
- 1435, Florence, Italy
- Died
- 1488, Venice, Italy
- Movement
- Early Renaissance
- In Florence
- 4 works in 4 museums
Where to see Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence
Each work with the museum it hangs in. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.
Bargello National Museum1 work

David
about 1473 to 1475
A slight, smiling boy in a leather jerkin, sword in hand, with the giant's head at his feet. Set it against Donatello's in the same museum.
Uffizi Gallery1 work

The Baptism of Christ
about 1470 to 1475
Christ and the Baptist are Verrocchio's, hard and wiry. The angel at the left, turning to look, is by the young Leonardo.
Palazzo Vecchio1 work

Boy with a Dolphin
about 1470
A winged child clutching a wriggling fish, made for a Medici fountain. A copy tops the fountain in the courtyard. The bronze is kept upstairs.
Orsanmichele1 work
Christ and Saint Thomas
1467 to 1483
Two bronze figures made for one niche on the outside of the guild church. Thomas steps half out of it to touch the wound. The original is in the museum upstairs.
The life of Andrea del Verrocchio
Andrea di Cione took the name of the goldsmith who taught him. After Donatello's death he became the chief sculptor of the Medici, for whom he made the tomb of Piero and Giovanni in San Lorenzo and the bronze David.
He died in Venice in 1488 while casting his equestrian monument to the soldier Bartolomeo Colleoni.
What to know
- Was the teacher of Leonardo da Vinci
- Made the gilded ball that crowns the lantern of the cathedral
- The young Leonardo is said to have posed for his David
- Born
- About 1435, Florence, Italy
- Died
- 1488, Venice, Italy
Andrea del Verrocchio: common questions
- Where can you see Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence?
- At the Bargello National Museum: David. At the Uffizi Gallery: The Baptism of Christ. At Palazzo Vecchio: Boy with a Dolphin. At the Orsanmichele: Christ and Saint Thomas. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.
- What is Andrea del Verrocchio's most famous work in Florence?
- David, of about 1473 to 1475, at the Bargello National Museum. A slight, smiling boy in a leather jerkin, sword in hand, with the giant's head at his feet. Set it against Donatello's in the same museum.
- When and where was Andrea del Verrocchio born?
- About 1435, at Florence, Italy. Andrea del Verrocchio died in 1488, at Venice, Italy, aged about 53.
- What is Andrea del Verrocchio known for?
- Was the teacher of Leonardo da Vinci. Made the gilded ball that crowns the lantern of the cathedral. The young Leonardo is said to have posed for his David. Andrea del Verrocchio was an Italian painter and sculptor, of the Early Renaissance.
Tickets and tours: Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence
Things to do near the Bargello
The nearest of this site's best things to do in the city. Distances are in a straight line.
- 4Walk the halls of the Palazzo Vecchio200 m awayMonument, 1.5 to 2.5 hours, square free, ticket for the palace
- 12See the real Gates of Paradise at the Opera del Duomo Museum300 m awayMuseum, 1.5 to 2 hours, ticket
- 3Climb Brunelleschi's dome on the Duomo350 m awayChurch, 2 to 3 hours, cathedral free, ticket for the dome
- 1Stand in front of Botticelli's Venus at the Uffizi350 m awayMuseum, 2.5 to 4 hours, ticket
Where to eat near the Bargello
The nearest of the famous tables this site lists in Florence. Distances are in a straight line.
- Vivoli4.5Gelateria, Santa Croce200 m away
- Antico Ristorante Paoli4.7Restaurant, Orsanmichele200 m away
- Perché no!4.6Gelateria, Orsanmichele200 m away
- Rivoire3.8Café and chocolate maker, Piazza della Signoria250 m away
Hotels near the Bargello
The five-star hotels closest to it, of those this site lists in Florence. Distances are in a straight line.
- Hotel Bernini Palace4.7Five-star hotel, Piazza della Signoria150 m away
- Palazzo Portinari Salviati4.8Five-star hotel, Via del Corso150 m away
- Hotel Savoy4.7Five-star hotel, Piazza della Repubblica300 m away
- Portrait Firenze4.8Five-star hotel, Ponte Vecchio450 m away
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