MANTEGAZZA, Antonio

The brothers Cristoforo Mantegazza and Antonio Mantegazza were, with Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, major sculptors in Milan during the later 15th century. Their dates of birth are unknown, and no documented or signed work exists by either. The earliest documentation of their activities records Cristoforo at the Certosa di Pavia in 1464 working with other sculptors to furnish stones carved as arches, vaults and columns for the walls of the nave. Also in 1464 he worked in the Certosa’s two cloisters, making capitals for the large cloister. In 1465 he designed wooden models for the terracotta capitals in the large cloister, working with the sculptor Rinaldo de’ Stauris (active 1461-1490). On 26 August 1467 Cristoforo was given six pieces of marble for works to be made for the Castello Sforzesco, Milan.

Both brothers were active at the Certosa di Pavia by 1472. In 1473 they were consulted by Galeazzo Maria Sforza, Duke of Milan, concerning a bronze equestrian sculpture of his father, Francesco I Sforza, a commission eventually given to Leonardo da Vinci. Also in 1473 the brothers, on a recommendation from Galeazzo Maria, were charged on 7 October to execute the façade of the church of the Certosa. On 20 August 1474 the Mantegazza brothers ceded half the work on the façade to Amadeo.

Cristoforo Mantegazza had died by February 1482, when his brothers Antonio and Giorgio and his daughter Costanza were paid for his works for the façade. Antonio appears to have kept his studio until 1489, when he gave it up to Alberto Maffiolo da Carrara (active 1488-1499). In the succeeding years he remained in contact with the monks, if only as a contractor. In 1495 Antonio was replaced as ducal sculptor by Cristoforo Solari and is presumed to have died.

Attempts to distinguish the individual hands of the brothers have been inconclusive, although scholars have provided some plausible solutions. A particular style of angular, flattened figures and drapery has been associated with both their names. Recalling flattened crumpled paper, the ‘cartaceous’ style characterizes much Milanese sculpture of the later 15th century. It appears that this style should now be associated only with Antonio; Cristoforo is responsible for some softer and more curving sculptures at the Certosa, including some of the Old Testament reliefs on the church façade.

To Antonio Mantegazza have been attributed many works in the ‘cartaceous’ style, including Old Testament Creation and Expulsion scenes for the façade of the Certosa; and some of the New Testament scenes on the right side of the façade of the Certosa.