Home > Facts > Artists Facts > Andrea del Castagno Facts

Andrea del Castagno Facts

Andrea del Castagno Facts
Andrea del Castagno was a leading artist of the early Florentine Renaissance period, notable for his "Last Supper" fresco located in the refectory of Sant'Apollonia, completed before Leonardo da Vinci created his own version of the "Last Supper'. Andrea was born in Castagno, a small village not far from Florence. The war between Milan and Florence meant that Andrea was relocated to Corella until it was over in 1440. The war became his inspiration for his early work depicting the hanging of people after the Battle of Anghiari appearing on the Palazzo del Podesta's façade. Andrea del Castagno's work influenced a number of artists and was active as an artist well into his later years.
Interesting Andrea del Castagno Facts:
Andrea del Castagno learned how to master using oil from Domenico Veneziano. There were allegations throughout history that Andrea murdered Domenico so that he would become the new master but those allegations have proven false due to the fact that Castagno died several years before Dominco.
After Andrea del Castagno painted the façade of the Palazzo del Podesta he was given the nickname Andrea degli Impiccati. He used this name for his art.
Andrea del Castagno may have apprenticed under Fra Filippo Lippi and/or Paolo Uccello.
Masaccio's influence on Andrea del Castagno early style is evident in Andrea's fresco "Crucifixion and Saints" which he created between 1440 and 1441 in the Ospedale di Santa Maria Nuovo.
Andrea del Castagno worked in Venice in 1442 on frescoes in the church of San Zaccaria's San Tarasio Chapel.
From 1442 to 1443 Andrea del Catsagno worked in St. Mark's Basilica creating a fresco "Death of the Virgin".
In 1445 Andrea del Castagno created his "Madonna and Child and Santi" fresco and also became a member of the Guild of Medicians.
1447 was the year Andrea created his "Last Supper" fresco in Sant'Apollonia's refectory, utilizing naturalism and detail differing from earlier styles of art. He also created fresco scenes of "Deposition", "Resurrection", and "Crucifixion", but these have since been damaged.
Andrea del Castagno created the piece "Assumption with Saints Julian and Miniato" in 1449-1450, originally for the church of San Miniato fra le Torri but now located in Berlin.
Also in 1449-1450 Andrea del Castagno worked with Filippo Carducci on "Illustrious People", a series depicting notables of the time including Dante, Tomiri, Boccaccio, Petrarca, Pippo Spano, and several others, for the Villa Carducci at Legnaia.
Andrea del Castagno was commissioned by Pope Nicolas V to create frescoes in the Vatican's apartments in 1454.
In 1453 Filippo Carducci commissioned frescoes from Andrea del Castagno, for his villa at Soffiano. "Eve", and "Madonna and Child" are the only two still in existence and the latter is ruined.
Andrea del Castagno's style and influence on art is believed to have had an impact on the master Michelangelo.
Andrea del Castagno's most notable portrait was "Equestrian Statue of Niccolo da Tolentino" hanging in the Cathedral of Florence.
Many of Andrea del Castagno's frescoes can be viewed in museums and churches in Florence, London, and Washington D.C.


Related Links:
Facts
Artists Facts
Animals Facts