VERROCCHIO, Andrea del
(b. 1435, Firenze, d. 1488, Venezia)

Virgin and Child

1470s
Painted terracotta
Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence

The preparatory work for sculpture that was produced in Verrocchio's workshop included bozzetti in wax or clay, terracotta modelli and drawings; bozzetti were also used to win contracts from prospective clients. It is not always clear whether Verrocchio's terracottas were intended as independent works or as modelli; the present terracotta relief of the Virgin and Child has a marble studio variant in the same museum.