Andrea Pisano

Andrea Pisano, real name Andrea da Pontadera (c. 1290-c. 1349), Italian sculptor who is considered the founder of the Florentine school of sculpture. Andrea Pisano is not related to Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, his near-contemporaries. He was born in Pontadera, and probably trained in Pisa. He is best known for his relief panels on the bronze south door (1330-1336) of the Florence Baptistery; their narrative scheme and naturalistic style were influenced by the fresco cycles of Giotto. As assistant to Giotto, and from 1340 Giotto's successor as master of the works of the Florence Cathedral, Pisano carved stone reliefs for the lower register of the campanile. In 1347 he became master of works for Orvieto Cathedral.