In 1478 Verrocchio began work on his most famous statue.
It is a "equestrian statue", a statue of a man on horseback.
The statue was made for the Republic of Venice in memory of a famous soldier who had lead military troops many times when Venice was at war.
His name was Bartolomeo Colleoni, and he had died in 1475.
Colleoni was admired by many people who thought he was a good man, as well as a brave soldier and great military leader.
Colleoni left a message to say that he wanted a statue of himself in the main square of Venice, right opposite St Mark's Basilica.
The town council would not allow this.
The statue was put in another important square, near the Hospital of St Mark and the Church of two Roman soldier-saints, St Giovanni and St Paolo.

When Verrocchio started making this statue, there had been only one big equestrian monument made in more than a thousand years.
Donatello had made an equestrian statue of another soldier, who was nicknamed Gattamelata ("the Smug Cat").
Verrocchio must have looked at Donatello's statue, which was in Padua and at the four ancient bronze horses that stood high on the front of St Mark's Basilica.
Verrocchio decided to make his horse do something which the St Mark's horses do, but Donatello's horse does not do.
The horses at St Marks all have one front hoof raised, so that they are perfectly balanced on only three legs.

Verrocchio's horse looks as if it is moving forward quite fast.
It is full of action.
The figure of Colleoni is not sitting down in the saddle, he is standing in the stirups, as if he is looking out to spot the enemy.
The horse's head turns one way, and the body and face of Colleoni turns the other way.
Colleoni looks fierce, as if he is leading his troops into battle.
The statue is very lively and very lifelike.

Verrocchio moved from Florence to Venice in 1488, to help with the casting of the bronze statue.
But he died that year, and never saw his most famous work finished.
In 1478 Verrocchio began work on his most famous statue. It is a "equestrian statue", a statue of a man on horseback. The statue was made for the Republic of Venice in memory of a famous soldier who had lead military troops many times when Venice was at war. His name was Bartolomeo Colleoni, and he had died in 1475. Colleoni was admired by many people who thought he was a good man, as well as a brave soldier and great military leader. Colleoni left a message to say that he wanted a statue of himself in the main square of Venice, right opposite St Mark's Basilica. The town council would not allow this. The statue was put in another important square, near the Hospital of St Mark and the Church of two Roman soldier-saints, St Giovanni and St Paolo.
When Verrocchio started making this statue, there had been only one big equestrian monument made in more than a thousand years. Donatello had made an equestrian statue of another soldier, who was nicknamed Gattamelata ("the Smug Cat"). Verrocchio must have looked at Donatello's statue, which was in Padua and at the four ancient bronze horses that stood high on the front of St Mark's Basilica. Verrocchio decided to make his horse do something which the St Mark's horses do, but Donatello's horse does not do. The horses at St Marks all have one front hoof raised, so that they are perfectly balanced on only three legs.
Verrocchio's horse looks as if it is moving forward quite fast. It is full of action. The figure of Colleoni is not sitting down in the saddle, he is standing in the stirups, as if he is looking out to spot the enemy. The horse's head turns one way, and the body and face of Colleoni turns the other way. Colleoni looks fierce, as if he is leading his troops into battle. The statue is very lively and very lifelike.
Verrocchio moved from Florence to Venice in 1488, to help with the casting of the bronze statue. But he died that year, and never saw his most famous work finished.
Andrea del Verrocchio