Maderno, Stefano

(1576-1636)

   Sculptor possibly from Lugano who was active in Rome. Early in his career, Maderno restored antique statues for collectors, but soon began executing small terracotta sculptures inspired by ancient prototypes. His most important commission is the life-size statue of St. Cecilia (1600) in the Church of St. Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome. In 1599, the saint's body was found intact in a coffin under the church's high altar. Pope Clement VIII commemorated the miraculous event by commissioning Maderno to create a recumbent sculpture of the saint as she had been found, with hands bound, her neck partially severed, and wearing an embroidered dress. Once Maderno completed the work, it was incorporated into the high altar, under which the saint was reburied. It became the prototype for the depiction of recumbent saints in art.