The marble relief depicting the meeting of Pope Leo and Attila at St Peter’s Basilica marks a high point in the career of Alessandro Algardi. Working within the Italian Baroque period, he transitioned from a young apprentice in Bologna to a central figure in the Roman art world, where he became a primary rival to Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Early Development and Roman Arrival
Born in Bologna in 1595, Algardi received early training under Agostino Carracci and later Giulio Cesare Conventi. His initial professional projects included chalk statues for the Oratory of Santa Maria della Vita. By the age of twenty, he secured commissions from Ferdinando I, Duke of Mantua, which facilitated his move to Rome in 1625. There, he gained initial employment with Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi, primarily focusing on the restoration of ancient statues such as the Hercules figure slaying the Hydra of Lerna.
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Algardi faced years of limited opportunities as Bernini dominated the major Roman commissions. His persistence led to the funeral monument of Pope Leo XI in the 1630s, a project that established his stylistic divergence from Bernini’s emotive works. Later, the accession of Pope Innocent X in 1644 fundamentally shifted the balance of power in Rome, bringing Algardi greater favor. His portraits, characterized by formal severity, were favored by the new administration, including the Pope’s nephew, Camillo Pamphilj.
Architectural and International Influence
Although not primarily an architect, Algardi oversaw the design and construction of the Villa Pamphili, now the Villa Doria Pamphili, in collaboration with assistants and other professionals. His reputation extended beyond Italy, particularly through his contact with Diego Velázquez in 1650. This connection yielded significant commissions for the Spanish royal court, resulting in chimney-pieces for the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, fountain figures of Neptune, and the funerary monument for the Count and Countess de Monterey in Salamanca.
Fast facts
- Born: 1595, Bologna
- Died: 1654, Rome
- Citizenship: Papal States
- Primary Occupations: Sculptor and architect
- Major Movement: Baroque
- Notable Works: Athena Algardi Altemps, Angel, Flight of Attila
Questions readers ask
Was Alessandro Algardi a rival of Gian Lorenzo Bernini?
Yes, during his later years in Rome, he was considered one of the primary rivals to Bernini.
Where did Alessandro Algardi work during his life?
His career took him to Bologna, Venice, Mantua, and finally Rome, where he spent most of his professional life.
Achievements
- Notable work: Athena Algardi Altemps
- Notable work: Statue of Hercules restored as killing the Hydra of Lerna
- Notable work: Angel
- Movement: Baroque
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