Plaster model made in 1882-87 by Dante Sodini, depicting the portrait of Saint Ambrose (340-397) half-length, and preparatory for the marble relief in the portraits’ gallery of the artists on the cymatium of the facade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The sculptor and architect from Pontedera is depicted in a thoughtful pose: with folded arms he seems to be looking out. He wears fourteenth-century clothes, a cape and a sculpture cap. His face is emaciated. Andrea was a pupil of Giotto and succeeded him as master builder of the Opera del Duomo. The panels of Giotto's bell tower and the southern door of the Baptistery with the stories of St. John the Baptist are by him and his workshop.

For this reason his figure is in the gallery of the portraits of the great artists, florentine or who had contact with Florence - which is part of the iconographic program of the facade, developed by Emilio de Fabris, the architect responsible for the creation of the new architectural front, together with the philosopher Augusto Conti. The program is centered on the theme of Christ and Mary and it aimed to express "the greatness of Christianity in itself, and its harmonies with civilization, especially for the gentle inspirations that derive from Christian worship to the Mother of the Redeemer" and among these "Useful Arts, Sciences, Fine Arts". 

The celebration of the glories of the past was part of the Risorgimento culture of the United Italy of the 19th century.