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

  1. Verrocchio's bronze David in the Bargello, a slight boy with a sword and the head of Goliath at his feet.

    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

  1. The Baptism of Christ, by Verrocchio and the young Leonardo, in the Uffizi: John pours water over Christ, with two angels kneeling at the left.

    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

  1. Verrocchio's bronze Boy with a Dolphin: a winged child running with a fish in his arms.

    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

  1. 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.

All 20 things to do in Florence

Where to eat near the Bargello

The nearest of the famous tables this site lists in Florence. Distances are in a straight line.

All 20 restaurants in Florence, ranked

Hotels near the Bargello

The five-star hotels closest to it, of those this site lists in Florence. Distances are in a straight line.

All 16 hotels in Florence, ranked

Other artists

All 30 artists in Florence