ROBBIA, Giovanni della
(b. 1469, Firenze, d. 1529, Firenze)

St Michael the Archangel

1500-10
Glazed terracotta, height 56 cm
Private collection

There was an abundance of images of the Archangel Michael in late 15th-century Florentine art due to Savonarola's fanaticism and moral proselytization which greatly influenced both the cultural and social life of Florence.

The present small, refined sculpture stands with his weight on his proper left leg and his hip thrust to his side. The posture was clearly inspired by the celebrated life-size bronze figure of David by Andrea del Verrocchio which was prominently installed in the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence by 1476.