Leoni, Leone

Leoni (1509 — 22nd July 1590) was a renowned Italian sculptor who travelled in Italy, Germany, Austria, France, the Habsburg Netherlands, and Spain where he created most of his works.

Leoni is regarded as the finest medallist of the Cinquecento. He built his reputation on the basis of commissions received from Habsburg monarchs such as Charles I of Spain and his son Philip II.

His medium of preference was bronze, although he also worked with marble, alabaster, carved precious gems, as well as leaving some finished works in wax (the material used to model many of his sculptures), as well as designing coins. He mainly created portraits and allegorical compositions.