Vincenzo De Rossi Paintings


Vincenzo De Rossi was an Italian sculptor associated with the late-Renaissance period, also known as Mannerism, which was characterized by elongated forms and a departure from the harmonious proportions and balance of the High Renaissance. Born in 1525 in Fiesole, near Florence, De Rossi was initially trained in the Florentine school, which had produced such luminaries as Michelangelo and Donatello.

De Rossi studied under the prominent sculptor Baccio Bandinelli, who was known for his large-scale marble sculptures. Under Bandinelli's tutelage, De Rossi honed his skills in both sculpting and drawing. He later worked in Rome, where he was influenced by the classical antiquities and the works of Michelangelo. De Rossi's style reflected the transition from the naturalism of the High Renaissance to the more expressive and complex compositions of Mannerism.

One of De Rossi's most notable works is the 'Rape of the Sabine Women,' which is located in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. This work showcases his ability to depict dramatic movement and intense emotion, hallmarks of the Mannerist style. Throughout his career, De Rossi received several commissions from the Medici family, who were the leading patrons of the arts in Florence.

De Rossi's contributions to Renaissance art were not limited to sculpture. He was also involved in architectural projects and was a contemporary of Giorgio Vasari, the famous painter, architect, and writer known for his biographies of Italian artists. Vasari mentioned De Rossi in his work 'Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects,' highlighting De Rossi's skill and his contributions to the art of his time.

Vincenzo De Rossi passed away in 1587, leaving behind a body of work that, while not as widely recognized as some of his contemporaries, played a significant role in the development of late-Renaissance art in Italy. His sculptures remain a testament to the transitional period of Mannerism, capturing the tension between the idealized beauty of the Renaissance and the emerging complexity of the modern age.