LORENZO

BARTOLINI (1777-1850)  , Italian sculptor, was born in Vernio in Tuscany . After acquiring great skill and reputation as a modeller in alabaster, he went in 1797 to Paris, where he studied painting under Desmarets, and afterwards sculpture under F . F . Lemot . The bas-relief " Cleobis and Biton," with which he gained the second prize of the Academy in 18os, at once established his fame as a sculptor and gained for him a number of influential patrons . He executed many minor pieces for Denon, besides busts of Maul and Cherubini . His great patron, however, was Napoleon, for whom he executed a colossal bust, and who sent him to Carrara to found a school of sculpture . Here he remained till after the fall of Napoleon, and then took up his residence in Florence, where he resided till his death . His works are varied and include an immense number of busts . The best are, perhaps, the group of Charity, the " Hercules and Lichas " and the " Faith in God," whsrh exemplify the highest types of Bartolini's style .