Michelangelo Naccherino

Michelangelo Naccherino (1550-1622) was an Italian sculptor and architect, mainly active in the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily.

Born in Florence, Naccherino was a pupil of the famous Giambologna. In 1573, he moved to the Kingdom of Naples, where he began a fruitful career. In Palermo, between 1575 and 1577, he collaborated with Camillo Camilliani on the Fontana Pretoria, overseeing the assembly of the 664 pieces that composed the work designed by Francesco Camilliani.

Returning to Naples, Naccherino focused his work in the city's main churches, creating masterpieces of Mannerist style. In 1588-1589, he created the tomb of Alfonso Sanchez in the Basilica of Santissima Annunziata Maggiore, and in 1599, he sculpted the crucifix in the church of San Carlo all'Arena.

In the early 17th century, along with other artists like Pietro Bernini, he contributed to the creation of famous fountains, such as the Fountain of Santa Lucia and the Fountain of the Giant. In 1607, he participated in the competition for the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, contributing to the construction and directing the site alongside Giovanni Cola di Franco.

Throughout his career, Naccherino also worked in Capri and Florence, where in 1616 he created the sculptural group of Adam and Eve in the Boboli Gardens. After his death, his house in Materdei was donated to the Dominicans of Santa Maria della Sanità, where Naccherino had sculpted the Madonna della Sanità in the early 17th century.

Among the artists influenced by Naccherino are important names like Giuliano Finelli, along with many other minor followers who contributed to his artistic legacy.