Piccolomini Altar (detail)

Torrigiano's earliest surviving documented work identified as 'Pietro Turrisani' is the marble life-size statue of St Francis carved by 5 June 1501 for Cardinal Francesco Todeschini–Piccolomini for the Piccolomini Altar in Siena Cathedral (in situ; was completed by Michelangelo).

Piccolomini was Cardinal Protector of England from 1492 to 1503, when he was elected Pope as Pius III (d. 1503). He maintained close contacts with the Tudor court, and he and his family were probably instrumental in securing Torrigiano's English appointment.