SANGALLO, Giuliano da
(b. 1445, Firenze, d. 1516, Firenze)

Tomb of Francesco Sassetti

1485-90
Marble
Santa Trinita, Florence

The tombs of Francesco Sassetti and his wife are in their family chapel in Santa Trinita in Florence. The chapel was decorated by Domenico Ghirlandaio. Francesco di Tommaso Sassetti (1420-1491) was a typical patrician, banker, and merchant, but he also collected ancient manuscripts, patronized the arts, and counted prominent humanists like Marsilio Ficino and Bartolomeo Fontius among his friends. The sarcophagi are decorated with nothing but their inscriptions (tabulae ansatae) and ox heads. They are carved from a gleaming black marble with white veining known as pietra paragone. Their design, like that of their rich classical framing decor, is attributed to Giuliano da Sangallo.