Algardi, Alessandro c. 1595-1654.
Italian Baroque sculptor, active in Rome and
at the papal court. His major work, on which
he was intermittently occupied from 1634 to
1652, is the tomb of Pope Leo XI (Medici), in
St Peter's, Rome. Although Algardi's work is
more restrained in expression than that of
his contemporary and rival Bernini, it is
Baroque in style, with figures often
violently contorted and full of movement. His
portrait busts include St Philip Neri 1640
(Sta Maria Vallicella, Rome).