Antonio del pollaiuolo biography books

Bronze Statuettes

Antonio Pollaiuolo's background and skill as a goldsmith enabled him to respond to the taste for small bronze sculpture, which became more popular in the last third of the 15th century.

Antonio del pollaiuolo biography books

The statuettes, frequently patinated to resemble antique bronzes, were meant for connoisseurs. Two surviving works include Hercules and Anteus (1470, Uffizi) and Hercules (c.1470, Frick Collection, New York).

Painting: Study of Human Anatomy

Working closely throughout their lives, the two brothers famously preceded Leonardo da Vinci in dissecting human corpses to better understand anatomy, which became a defining skill in their work.

Antonio was particularly skilled in depicting the human figure in action and this can be seen in his painting Hercules Clubs the Hydra (1475, Uffizi, Florence) and his only surviving engraving Battle of the 10 Nude Men (c.1470, Uffizi).

Hercules Clubs the Hydra is a small panel, part of a set