Desiderio da Settignano
No Portrait Available
Desiderio da Settignano (c. 1430-1464) was a Florentine sculptor of the Early Renaissance who died young but left behind some of the most delicate marble carving of his era. Born in Settignano, a village of stonecutters outside Florence, he trained in the circle of Donatello and Bernardo Rossellino.
Desiderio's specialty was rilievo schiacciato (flattened relief), a technique of carving extremely shallow reliefs that create painterly atmospheric effects in stone. His marble busts of women and children are prized for their gentle expressions and soft, almost translucent surfaces. The tomb of Carlo Marsuppini in Santa Croce, Florence, is considered his greatest monumental work.
Sculptures by Desiderio da Settignano
1 sculpture catalogued with museum locations. Browse all sculptures
Museums with Desiderio da Settignano's Work
1 museum displays Settignano's works. Click any museum to see visiting info and the specific works they hold.
About Desiderio da Settignano
Desiderio excelled at rilievo schiacciato (flattened relief) and delicate portrait busts. His marble carvings of women and children have an almost translucent softness that few Renaissance sculptors could match.
Key works are in Florence: the Marsuppini tomb in Santa Croce and busts at the Bargello. The National Gallery of Art in Washington and the Louvre also hold important pieces.
Love Desiderio da Settignano's Style?
Explore art inspired by their style.
Browse Collection