ROBBIA, Andrea della
(b. 1435, Firenze, d. 1525, Firenze)

Biography

Italian artist, nephew of Luca della Robbia. He trained with his uncle and assisted in his workshop. In 1458 he enrolled in the Arte dei Maestri di Pietra e Legname (stone and woodworkers’ guild) as an intagliatore (carver), although he continued working with his uncle. His early works, including the altarpiece of the Virgin and Child with Saints (1466; Florence, Misericordia), reflect styles codified by Luca, which makes them difficult to identify among workshop products of the mid-15th century. The famous roundels of infants on the façade of the Foundling Hospital in Florence (1463-66) were probably made by Andrea.

Luca's business was carried on by Andrea, and later by Andrea's five sons, of whom Giovanni (1469-after 1529) was the most important.



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