Arnolfo di Cambio
Colle Val d'Elsa in Tuscany was the birthplace of a man who would reshape Italian art. He began his career as a lead assistant to Nicola Pisano around 1265. The marble Siena Cathedral Pulpit stands as proof of their collaboration between 1265 and 1268. Arnolfo di Lapo, a name later invented by Giorgio Vasari, started as a chief helper on this massive project. His early years were spent mastering the craft under a master sculptor before striking out alone. By 1266 he worked for King Charles I of Anjou in Rome. A famous statue of the king still resides today in the Campidoglio.
The church of San Domenico in Orvieto holds the tomb of Cardinal Guillaume de Braye from 1282. This wall tomb features an enthroned Madonna that mimics an ancient Roman statue of the goddess Abundantia. Her tiara and jewels reproduce antique models found in classical antiquity. Arnolfo absorbed Cosmatesque art while working in Rome during the late thirteenth century. Intarsia and polychrome glass decorations appear in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls where he worked in 1285. He also contributed to Santa Cecilia in Trastevere in 1293. These projects show how deeply he studied the decorative traditions of his time.
In 1300 Arnolfo di Cambio became capomaestro or Head of Works for Florence Cathedral. The design for the great church began in 1296 with his initial plans. His facade was extended and completed by other architects in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Surviving statues once decorating the lower part of the facade now rest in the Museum of the Cathedral. He designed the sixth city wall around Florence between 1284 and 1333. The Palazzo Vecchio in Florence dates to 1299 and bears his architectural influence. Dante Alighieri likely met him when Dante served as prior of Florence in 1300.
By the end of his career Arnolfo ran one or more workshops of considerable size. Distinguishing his personal hand from that of his assistants remains difficult today. Variations in style across large works are caused by the use of workshop assistants. He probably had a workshop in Rome by 1277 according to historical records. Some sources debate whether Arnolfo di Cambio is the same person as Arnolfus who signed the ciboria of San Paolo fuori le Mura. Another figure known as Arnolfus Architectus signed the tomb of Pope Boniface VIII. The majority view holds they are all the same man despite stylistic differences.
The monumental character of Arnolfo's work left its mark on the appearance of Florence. His funerary monuments became the model for subsequent Gothic funerary art. Giorgio Vasari included a biography of Arnolfo in his Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects. A double citation of the Battle at Colle Val d'Elsa appears in Cantos XI and XIII of Purgatorio. This reference suggests Dante almost certainly met the architect when he was prior of Florence. The traditional date of 1302 has been recently discovered to be wrong regarding his death. Modern scholarship now points toward 1300 or 1310 as the actual year of his passing.
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Common questions
Where was Arnolfo di Cambio born and what was his early career?
Arnolfo di Cambio was born in Colle Val d'Elsa in Tuscany. He began his career as a lead assistant to Nicola Pisano around 1265.
What major architectural projects did Arnolfo di Cambio work on in Florence?
Arnolfo di Cambio became capomaestro for Florence Cathedral in 1300 with initial plans starting in 1296. He designed the sixth city wall around Florence between 1284 and 1333 and influenced the Palazzo Vecchio which dates to 1299.
When did Arnolfo di Cambio die according to modern scholarship?
Modern scholarship now points toward 1300 or 1310 as the actual year of his passing. The traditional date of 1302 has been recently discovered to be wrong regarding his death.
Which famous statues did Arnolfo di Cambio create during his time working for King Charles I of Anjou?
A famous statue of King Charles I of Anjou still resides today in the Campidoglio. This work dates from when he worked for the king in Rome by 1266.
How does Giorgio Vasari describe Arnolfo di Cambio in historical records?
Giorgio Vasari included a biography of Arnolfo in his Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects. Vasari invented the name Arnolfo di Lapo for this architect who was born in Colle Val d'Elsa.