[Born at Pisa, in Italy, 1205-7. Died at Sienna, in Italy, about
1290.]
The early reviver of Sculpture in Italy; memorable for being the first
Italian artist who quitted the dry, stiff, traditional forms which had
long prevailed, and founded a school based upon Truth and Nature. His
finest productions preceded those of Cimabue; and it was said of him
that “he was the first to see the light and to follow it.” His great
work is the marble pulpit, with bas-reliefs from Scripture, in the
Baptistery at Pisa.
[By Alessandro d’Este. Vasari mentions a Bust of him by his son
Giovanni, from which this may have been taken.]