- Francesco Laurana
Francesco Laurana (de la Vrana), (c. 1430 – before
12 March 1502 ), was aDalmatia n-born sculptor andmedal list, in Croatia also known as Frane Vranjanin.Life and works
Laurana was born in Vrana, near
Zara , in the VenetianDalmatia (nowZadar , inCroatia ).After an apprenticeship under a sculptor, he began his solo career at
Naples , where he finished the triumphal arch ofCastel Nuovo forAlfonso V of Aragon . After the death of the latter he was called to France, at the court of René, duke ofAnjou , who commissioned a series ofmedal lions from him.From 1466 to 1471 Laurana was in
Sicily . Works of this period include the Mastrantonio Chapel and the tomb of Pietro Speciale in the church of St. Francis in Palermo, the side door of the church of St. Marguerite inSciacca , "Madonna with Child" sculptures in the Cathedrals of Palermo andNoto , and a bust ofEleanor of Aragon now in thePalazzo Abatellis in Naples.In 1471 he returned to Naples where he executed the sculpture of the "Virgin" in the Sta. Barbara Chapel. In 1474-1477 Laura spent three years in
Urbino , where his relativeLuciano Laurana worked. Then he transferred again to France, where his workshop executed the St. Lazarus altar in the Cathedral ofMarseille , theretable of the Calvary in St. Didier d'Avignon and the tomb of Giovanni Cossa at "Sainte-Marthe de Tarascon" and of Charles du Maine inLe Mans .Laurana died at
Marseille or Avignon, in 1502.Overview
He was one of the most significant and most complex sculptors of the 15th century—complex because of his activities within varying cultural circles and his exposure to differing influences. His best works evolved in the workshop tradition in collaboration with other artists. His portrait
bust s reveal a creative individuality that was seen as particularly fascinating in the late 19th century. Though it is impossible to chart his stylistic development, his later work made in France shows some assimilation of northern realism, which is absent from the work executed in Italy.External links
* [http://cartelen.louvre.fr/cartelen/visite?srv=rs_display_res&critere=Francesco+Laurana&operator=AND&photoOnly=true&nbToDisplay=20&langue=fr Some works in the Louvre]
* [http://xoomer.alice.it/histria/storiaecultura/testiedocumenti/istrianifamosi/lauranaFr.htm Francesco Laurana]
* [http://www.dia.org/asp/search/ExecuteSearch.asp?artist=laurana%20francesco%20da 2 works in Detroit]
* [http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artMakerDetails?maker=3488&page=1 Biography & 1 work from the Getty]
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