A Bolognese Sculptor in Roman Baroque Alessandro Algardi, born in Bologna on July 31, 1598, emerged as a pivotal figure within the dynamic landscape of 17th-century Italian sculpture. While often discussed in relation to his celebrated rival, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Algardi carved out a distinct artistic identity—one rooted in classical ideals and a restrained emotionality that offered a compelling alternative to Bernini’s theatrical exuberance. His journey began with an apprenticeship under Agostino Carracci, where he honed foundational skills, but it was the tutelage of Giulio Cesare Convent…