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TORRIGIANI, Sebastiano - b. ~1550 Bologna, d. 1600 Roma - WGA

TORRIGIANI, Sebastiano

(b. ~1550 Bologna, d. 1600 Roma)

Italian sculptor, born in Bologna, a skilful caster of bronzes. He was active in the Roman workshop of Guglielmo della Porta after 1573, and assumed control of the studio after della Porta’s death in 1577. He executed bronze sculptures for the Cappella Gregoriana in St Peter’s, the Cappella del Presepio in Santa Maria Maggiore, both in Rome, and the Capella del Coro in Sant’Agostino in Bologna. His best-known works are the colossal bronze figures (1585–87) of St Peter and St Paul by Tomaso della Porta, cast for the tops of the columns of Trajan and Marcus Aurelius. Torrigiani was also responsible for the metal screen in the Sistine Chapel. Perhaps Torrigiani’s greatest contribution was in portraiture, notable examples being a bust of Gregory XIII and three busts of Sixtus V.

Bust of Gregory XIV
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Bust of Gregory XIV

Torrigiani made life-size portraits of various popes. This bust of Gregory is a small replica of one of these large portraits.

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Saint Paul
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Saint Paul

The imposing figures of apostles St Peter and St Paul were presented to Saint Peter’s by Pope Gregory XIII, who died in April 1585. The statues were made in 1585 by Sebastiano Torrigiani, along with a set of six candlesticks in gilt bronze. They were restored in the seventeenth century.

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Saint Peter
Saint Peter by

Saint Peter

The imposing figures of apostles St Peter and St Paul were presented to Saint Peter’s by Pope Gregory XIII, who died in April 1585. The statues were made in 1585 by Sebastiano Torrigiani, along with a set of six candlesticks in gilt bronze. They were restored in the seventeenth century.

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