Domenico Gagini

(b Bissone, c. 1425-30; d Palermo, 29-30 Sept 1492). Filarete referred to a 'Domenico from the lake of Lugano, disciple of Pippo di Ser Brunelleschi' (Trattato di architettura, Milan, 1461-4), and it seems probable that Domenico was apprenticed to Brunelleschi, although there is no documentary evidence. As a sculptor, Domenico was most influenced by Donatello. Domenico's first major commission was the fa?ade of the chapel of S Giovanni Battista in Genoa Cathedral, on which he worked from 1448 until 1456-7 (see fig.). This fa?ade is reminiscent of the porch of Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel in Florence and also reflects a knowledge of Donatello's work. Stylistically, however, it remains a product of the Lombard early Renaissance decorative style; probably many Lombard assistants were involved. Other works by Domenico that date from c. 1455 include an overdoor relief of St John the Baptist in the Wilderness (Lawrence, U. KS, Spencer Mus. A.), a statuette of the Virgin and Child (ex-Berlin, Staatl. Museen; destr.) and another statuette of the Virgin and Child in the sacristy of Torcello Cathedral.

Part of the Gagini family

See the Abbreviations for further details.

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tabernacle in the Cappella palatina in Castel Nuovo in Naples

alter with the Madonna and Child in the Basilica dell'Annunziata in Naples

Domenico Gagini (1449 - 1492) was an Italian sculptor. He was the son of Pietro Gagini. The Gagini were a family of sculptors and painters working during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. First recorded in Genoa in the early 15th century, was Domenico's grandfather Beltrame Gagini, and his three sons Pietro, Giovanni and Pace

Domenico Gagini was the first sculptor of this family to achieve international fame. Born at Bissone, in the Ticino (now part of Switzerland) he studied in Florence under Brunelleschi. Returning to Genoa in 1447 he worked on the sculpture of the dome of the church of S. Giovanni Battista. In 1457 he was recorded as working in Naples for Alfonso of Aragon. In 1463 he arrived in Palermo, Sicily where he, and later his family including Antonello and Antonio, influenced the decorative architecture of the island, in works of both decorative and figure sculpture.

One of Domenico Gagini's most notable works is the decoration of the choir in Palermo Cathedral, these consist of a combination of life size figures within relief panels, plus a large number of small free standing figures.

Gagini died in Palermo in 1492.

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