Andrea Alessi
Venetian architect and sculptor of Venetian Dalmatia.
via Wikipedia: Andrea Alessi · see source
Andrea Alessi (Albanian: Andrea Nikollë Aleksi, Croatian: Andrija Aleši, c. 1425 – 1504/05) was a Venetian architect and sculptor considered one of the most distinguished artists of Venetian Dalmatia. Born around 1425 in Durazzo (modern Durrës, Albania), a city under Venetian influence, his ethnic origin is questioned—some sources say Albanian, others Italian. He moved to Split, Dalmatia, studied under sculptor Mark Troja, and lived most of his life working across Split, Šibenik, Zadar, Rab, Trogir, Ancona, and the Tremiti Islands. He died in Split in either 1504 or 1505 and was buried in Durrës.
Quick Facts
- Born
- c. 1425
- Birthplace
- Durazzo, Albania, Venetian Republic (now Durrës, Albania)
- Died
- 1504 or 1505 (aged about 80)
- Place of death
- Split, Dalmatia, Venetian Republic (now Split, Croatia)
- Occupation
- Architect
- sculptor
- artist
- Notable works
- The Baptistry of Trogir
Facts from the source article.
Career
Alessi was a disciple of Giorgio da Sebenico, and his best-known work is with Niccolò di Giovanni Fiorentino on the expansion of the Chapel of St. John of Trogir located in Trogir that began in 1468. Just like Šibenik Cathedral of Saint James in Dalmatia, the Chapel was composed out of large stone blocks with extreme precision. It is unique harmony of architecture and sculpture according to antique ideals. From inside, there is no flat wall.
In the middle of chapel, on the altar, lays the sarcophagus of blessed John of Trogir. Surrounding are reliefs of puttos carrying torches that look like they were peeping out of doors of Underworld. Above them there are niches with sculptures of Christ and apostles (the principle work of Alessi), amongst them are putties, circular windows encircled with fruit garland, and a relief of Nativity. All is ceiled with coffered ceiling with image of God in the middle and ninety-six portrait heads of angels.
With so many faces of smiling children the chapel looks very cheerful and there isn’t nothing similar in European art of that time. Andrea is best known for his merchant statues in Ancona, Italy, and his mural paintings in the Trogir Cathedral, particularly The Baptistry of Trogir. He signed the Trogir Baptistery in 1467 with: ANDREAS ALEXIUS DURRACHINUS OPIFEX MCCCCLXII (Andreas Alexius, artisan from Durrës, 1462).
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