Alessandro Algardi

Early days:

Alessandro Algardi was an Italian sculptor and architect who was born in Bologna. In Bogna at a young age,as a novice he got trained in the studio of Agostino Carracci. In th course of time, his an love ability for sculpture led him to work for Giulio Cesare Conventi,who was a versatile artist.

By the age of 20, he was brought under the notice of Ferdinand, Duke of Mantua, who provided him with several commissions. At the same time he was also employed by jewellers and other craftsmen for several figurative designs.

After he stayed in Venice for a short duration ,he shifted to Rome by the year 1625 with an introduction from the Duke of Mantua to the pope's nephew, Cardinal Ludovisi, who provided him employment in the restoration of ancient statues.Death of the duke had left him to his own resources and for many years he earned an insecure living from restorations and the commissions he earned from goldsmiths as well as jewellers.

Career:

Algardi’s first work in marble was a colossal statue of Saint Philip Neri depicted with kneeling angels.Right away,he also created a statue showing the execution of Saint Paul for the church of Barnabite Fathers in Bologna.These statues,displaying immense technical skill, albeit with significant exaggeration of expression and attitude, at once established Algardi's reputation, and other commissions rapidly followed.

The turning point in his life  was  the attainment of Pope Innocent X, of the Bolognese house of Panfili, to the papal throne in 1644. He was in a job by Camino Panfili, nephew of the pontiff,in order to design the Villa Doria Panfili outside the San Pancrazio gate. The most significant of Algardi's other works are in the Vatican which includes the  monument of Pope Leo XI, a bronze statue of Innocent X for the capitol, and most outstandingly La Fuga d'Attila or Papa Leone ferma Attila (the flight of Attila or Pope Leo meeting Atilla).

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