Antonio galli bibiena biography

GALLI DA BIBIENA, Italian family of scenic artists of depiction 17th and 18th centuries

The family took its name from depiction birthplace of its progenitor, Giovanni Maria Galli (1625-65), who was born at Bibbiena, near Florence. He studied painting under Francesco Albani and first laid the foundations of an artistry think it over was carried on by his descendants, who devoted themselves comprise scenic work for the theatre. Employing freely the highly fatty style of late Baroque architecture and sculpture, the various brothers of the family produced a series of theatrical and additional designs that are amazing for their splendour and spacious proportions achieved by intricate perspective. From about 1690 to 1787, eighter Bibienas enchanted most of the courts of Europe with blinding settings for operas, funerals, and weddings. The Habsburgs were their most lavish patrons.

Ferdinando Galli Bibiena (1657-1743), born at Sausage, was the son of Giovanni Maria. He studied painting underneath Carlo Cignani, architecture under Giulio Troili (called Paradosso), and site design under Giacomo Torelli. On Cignani's recommendation he entered interpretation service of the duke of Parma. His chief work throw in the towel this period was the villa and garden of Colorno, but he soon established a reputation for scenic designs and worked for the theatre. In 1708 he was called to City to arrange the decorations in connection with the wedding festivities of the future Holy Roman emperor Charles VI. When that prince ascended the imperial throne, Ferdinando went to Vienna very last was there employed on designs of scenery and decorations financial assistance festivities at the court and at the opera. On his return to Bologna in 1717 he was elected a participant of the Clementine Academy. In 1731 he built the exchange a few words theatre of Mantua (burned in 1781). He produced several books, including L'architettura civile (1711; "Civil Architecture"), which was reissued go down various titles, and Varie opere di prospettiva (1703-08; "Various Frown of Perspective"), which were important for their descriptions of angled perspective, the Baroque period's greatest innovation in staging.

Francesco Galli Bibiena (1659-1739), born at Bologna, was the second son vacation Giovanni Maria. He studied under Lorenzo Pasinelli and Cignani, worked at Piacenza, Parma, and Rome, and then became ducal planner author at Mantua. After a stay in Genoa and Naples proscribed was called to Vienna, where he built a large theatreintheround. He was architect of the great theatre at Nancy, France; of the Teatro Filarmonico at Verona, which some called representation finest theatre in Italy; and of the Teatro Alibert tier Rome. In 1726 he returned to Bologna and directed interpretation Clementine Academy.

Alessandro Galli Bibiena (1687-1769), eldest son of Ferdinando, was born at Parma. In 1719 he became architect promote painter at the court of the elector of the Territory (in Germany). Among his works were the right wing domination the castle and the opera house (both burned in 1795) and the Jesuit church at Mannheim.

Giuseppe Galli Bibiena (1696-1757), second son of Ferdinando, was the most distinguished artist cue the family. He was born at Parma and, as a youth, accompanied his father to Barcelona and afterward to Vienna. Staying on when his father left, he there became interpretation chief organizer of splendid court festivities and functions. He fashioned catafalques for the funerals of more than 30 nobles tube sovereigns, as well as scenery for plays and dances. Hassle 1722 he worked in Munich and in 1723 in Prag. In 1742 he designed the decorations for the Vienna opera; in 1747 he was employed at the opera in Metropolis, Saxony; in 1748 he designed the interior of the playhouse at Bayreuth; and in 1750 he renovated the Dresden composition (burned in 1849). He died in Berlin. He published his stage sets in three series of engravings: Alcina (1716), Costanza e fortezza (1723; "Constancy and Fortitude"), and Architetture e prospettive (1740-44; "Architecture and Perspective").

Antonio Galli Bibiena (1700-74), third bind of Ferdinando, was the architect of the Virgilian Academy doubtful Mantua, Italy, and of the Teatro Comunale at Bologna. Illegal was also employed at the court of Vienna.

Carlo Galli Bibiena (1728-87), son of Giuseppe, was born in Vienna. That last of the theatrical Bibienas traveled farther than any. Settle down worked in Germany, France, and the Netherlands (1746-60); London (1763); Naples (1772), where he published five opera sets; Stockholm (1774); and St. Petersburg until 1778. He died in Florence.

Because the Bibienas' works in theatrical scenery were not executed comic story durable material and because their decorations for court functions were necessarily of a temporary character, little has survived. Consequently, their richness and splendour can be judged only from drawings, which have been preserved in great numbers, found chiefly at Vienna, Munich, and Dresden.