Colleoni

Colleoni is an Italian surname most closely associated with Bartolomeo Colleoni (c. 1395–1475), a prominent condottiero of the 15th century who served the Republic of Venice and other Italian states. Colleoni rose to become one of the era’s leading military leaders, commanding mercenary forces in the northern Italian conflicts of the mid- to late 1400s. His career encompassed various campaigns in Lombardy and the Veneto, and he played a key role in Venice’s military strategy during his active years. He died in 1475, and his legacy persisted in art and architecture connected to his memory.

In art and monuments, Colleoni is best known for two major commemorations in Italy. The equestrian statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni by Andrea del Verrocchio stands in Venice, prominently exhibited in the Campo dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo. Completed in the late 15th century, the statue is regarded as a landmark of Renaissance sculpture for its dynamic composition, lifelike rendering, and technical ambition. It remains one of Verrocchio’s most celebrated works and a defining feature of the Venetian cityscape.

Another major commemoration is the Cappella Colleoni (Colleoni Chapel) in Bergamo, located within the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Built in the late 15th century and commissioned by Bartolomeo Colleoni and his daughter Medea Colleoni, the chapel houses their tombs and is noted for its Renaissance architectural design and decorative program. The chapel is an important example of Lombard Renaissance art and architecture, reflecting the Colleoni family's prominence and their patronage.

The Colleoni name has continued as a surname and toponyms in Italy, linked primarily to historical figures and commemorative sites rather than a single, unified modern institution.