Leoni, Leone (c. 1509–1590)

Tuscan sculptor, engraver, and medallist. He is best known for his bronze portraits and medals of patrons, rulers, and artists such as Charles V and Michelangelo, and in particular for his statues for El Escorial in Spain, sculpted for Philip II. His sculptural style was one of strong and elegant naturalism.

Leoni was born at Arezzo and trained as a goldsmith, but none of his work in that medium has survived. Leoni first worked in Venice and then in Rome, where he was coin engraver at the papal mint 1537–40. He held the same post at the mint in Milan from 1542. As court sculptor and medallist to Emperor Charles V (from 1546) Leoni travelled to Germany and Brussels, besides attending the emperor on his visits to Italy. Later he executed portraits of Philip II of Spain, Empress Isabella, and Maria of Portugal, and collaborated with his son Pompeo Leoni on a range of statuary for El Escorial. He spent the last years of his life in Milan, where the tomb of Gian Giacomo de' Medici in the cathedral (1560–62) is an important example of his work.

Leoni, Leone (c. 1560–1627)

Italian composer. He was maestro di cappella of Vicenza Cathedral from 1588.

Works Masses, motets (some in many parts with instruments), Sacrae cantiones, psalms, Magnificats and other church music, sacred and secular madrigals.