Photo of Charity, Italian - Public domain dedication

Giovanni di Balduccio was an Italian sculptor born in Pisa around 1290. He is known for his work in the Gothic style, which was popular in Italy in the 14th century. Di Balduccio's most famous work is the tomb of Emperor Henry VII, which he created in 1315. The tomb is located in the Cathedral of Pisa and is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic sculpture in Italy. It features a life-size statue of the emperor lying on his back, his head resting on a pillow and his hands clasped in prayer. Di Balduccio also created several other important works, including the tomb of Bishop Guido Tarlati in Arezzo and a statue of St John the Baptist for the Baptistery in Florence. He worked mainly in marble, but also used other materials such as bronze and terracotta. Little is known about di Balduccio's life outside his work as a sculptor. It is thought that he trained in Florence and may have worked for other prominent artists of his time, such as Andrea Pisano and Giotto. He died sometime after 1339, but the exact date of his death is unknown.