Agostino di Duccio

Agostino di Duccio, born in Florence in 1418, was a prominent figure of the early Renaissance, known for his exceptional skills as a sculptor and architect. His artistic journey began in Prato, where he collaborated with renowned contemporaries such as Donatello and Michelozzo, whose influences shaped his early works.

In 1441, Agostino faced a setback when he was accused of stealing precious materials from a Florentine monastery, leading to a temporary banishment from his beloved city. However, he quickly resumed his artistic endeavors, notably working on the altar of S. Geminiano for the Cathedral of Modena, a project that showcased Michelozzo's stylistic impact on his work.

His artistic exploration took him to Venice in 1446, where he studied late Gothic sculpture and met fellow sculptor Matteo de' Pasti. This connection led him to Rimini, where he executed the sculptural decoration of the Tempio Malatestiano from 1449 to 1457, creating a medieval encyclopedia of reliefs featuring zodiacal and mythological figures.

Between 1457 and 1462, Agostino crafted the marble façade of the church of S. Bernardino in Perugia. His later works, particularly in Florence, included the Madonna of Auvillers for Piero di Cosimo de' Medici, now housed in the Louvre. In 1464, he was commissioned to carve a monumental marble statue of David for Florence Cathedral, a project that would become a significant part of his legacy.

Despite acquiring a massive block of marble in Carrara for the statue, Agostino lost the commission in 1466, possibly due to the death of Donatello. The block, known as il gigante, remained unfinished for years until Michelangelo later completed a new David in 1504. Agostino continued to influence architecture, designing the outer facade of the Porta di San Pietro in Perugia in 1473, before passing away around 1481.