Bambocci, Abate Antonio
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Bambocci, Abate Antonio: (b. Piperno, near Rome, c1368; d. Naples, c1435). Artist. He arrived in Naples with his father, the sculptor Domenico Bambocci, and became a pupil of Masuccio who taught him drawing, architecture and sculpture. He received further instruction in these subjects from Andrea Ciccione. He was taught painting by Colantino del Fiore and Zingaro. Bambocci is best known for his sepulchral monuments, including those of Cardinal Filippo Minutolo and Cardinal Carbone. The 1421 monument he created for Lorenzo Aldemareschi included an inscription in which Bambocci described himself as a sculptor, painter and brassfounder. The chapel which housed the monument was also decorated with paintings executed by Bambocci. In 1407, he created the architrave and other decorative elements for the great door to the Cathedral at Naples. He also crafted the doors of the churches of Pappacoda and S. Agostino allla Zecca. Although he also designed and constructed several private palazzi but most of these had already disappered by the middle of the 19th century. Bambocci’s sculpture reveals his belief in restoring the rules followed in classical times. He founded his own school of art which produced several superior artists like Angelo Agnello del Fiore and Guglielmo Monaco.