Ferdinando Galli-Bibiena

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Ferdinando Galli Bibiena or Ferdinando Galli-Bibiena (18 August 1656 - 3 January 1743), [1] [2] also Ferdinando Galli da Bibiena or Bibbiena, was an Italian Baroque-era architect, designer, and painter.[2] [3]

Ferdinando Galli Bibiena was born in Bologna (Italy). He was the brother of Francesco Galli Bibiena, was the father of the painter Giuseppe Galli Bibiena (1696–1757), and studied art under Carlo Cignani. Ferdinando Galli Bibiena died at age 86 in 1743.[2]

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[edit] Life

Ferdinando Galli Bibiena was born on August 18, 1657 at Bologna.[1] He was the son of painter Giovanni Maria Galli (1625–1665), and he studied painting under Carlo Cignani and architecture under Giulio Troili, called Paradosso.[3] On recommendation of Cignani, Ferdinando entered into the service of the duke of Parma, and he also worked for the Farnese dynasty at Piacenza during those 30 years. His main work during this period was the garden and villa of Colorno, but he soon earned a reputation for his scenic designs and began working for the theatre.[3]

In 1708, Ferdinando Galli Bibiena was called to Barcelona to organize the decorations in connection with the wedding festivities of the future Holy Roman emperor Charles VI.[3] When this prince became the Emperor, Ferdinando traveled to Vienna, where he worked on designs of scenery and decorations for court festivities and opera performances. In his decorations for the theatre and festivities, Ferdinando replaced the central (vertical) axis with a diagonal axis, introducing an angular perspective along the diagonal.[1] Ferdinando was defeated by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach when competing for the construction of St. Charles´ church (Karlskirche) in Vienna.[1] He returned to Bologna in 1716, where in 1717, Ferdinando was elected as a member of the Clementine Academy.[3]

In 1731, Ferdinando Galli Bibiena built the royal theatre of Mantua (which burned 50 years later, in 1781).[3] He produced several books, including:[3]

  • L'Architettura civile (1711; "Civil Architecture"), later reissued under various titles; and
  • Varie opere di prospettiva (1703–1708; "Various Works of Perspective").

Ferdinando Galli Bibiena, past the age of 86, died on January 3, 1743.[1]

[edit] Family

The Galli-Bibiena family derives its name from the surname and birthplace of papa Giovanni Maria Galli (1625–1665), who was born at Bibbiena (Italy) outside Florence.[3] Giovanni studied painting under Francesco Albani and laid the foundations of an artistry which was continued by his descendants, who dedicated themselves to scenic work (with set design) for the theatre.[3]

Using the highly ornate style of late Baroque sculpture and architecture, the members of the Galli-Bibiena family produced a series of theatrical and other designs that are exceptional for their intricate splendour and spacious proportions achieved by detailed perspective.[3]

From about 1690 to 1787, eight Bibienas designed and painted for many of the courts of Europe with intricate settings for operas, weddings, and funerals. The Habsburgs were their most generous patrons.[3]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e "Galli-Bibiena, Ferdinando" (dates, Farnese dynasty, to Barcelona for Karl VI), Encyclopedia of Austria, 2006, aeiou.iicm.tugraz.at webpage: aeiou-FerdinandoGBibiena.
  2. ^ a b c "Ferdinando Galli Bibiena Online" (overview), John Malyon, Artcyclopedia, 2005, Artcyclopedia.com webpage: Artcyc-FBibiena.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Bibiena, Galli da, Family" (history), Encyclopædia Britannica Online, 18-November-2006, Britannica.com webpage: EB-Bibienas.

[edit] References

  • A. H. Mayor, The Bibiena Family, 1940.