Saint Antonino, Dominican Archbishop of Florence (b. 1389, archbishop 1446, d. 1459)
first half 16th century
Medium
Carta Pesta, painted
Dimensions
Height: 18 in. (45.7 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
Italian, Florence
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1918
Accession Number
18.70.26
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite bust of *Saint Antonino, Dominican Archbishop of Florence* (1389–1459), by Giovanni della Robbia the first half of the16th century, captures revered cleric's serene piety. Saint Antonino, or Antoninus, rose from humble Dominican roots to become Florence's archbishop in 1446, renowned for his charitable works, strict moral reforms, and scholarly writings on theology. Canonized in 1523, he became a symbol of Florentine devotion, and such sculptures honored his legacy in churches and homes. Giovanni della Robbia, a master of the illustrious Florentine della Robbia family—famed for...