Ferdinando Galli-Bibiena
Encyclopedia
Ferdinando Galli Bibiena or Ferdinando Galli-Bibiena (18 August 1656 - 3 January 1743),
also Ferdinando Galli da Bibiena or Bibbiena,
was an Italian
Baroque-era
architect
, designer
, and painter
.
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.
. 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. 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.
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
. 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. Ferdinando was defeated by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach
when competing for the construction of St. Charles´ church
(Karlskirche
) in Vienna. He returned to Bologna
in 1716, where in 1717, Ferdinando was elected as a member of the Clementine Academy.
In 1731, Ferdinando Galli Bibiena built the royal theatre of Mantua (which burned 50 years later, in 1781). He produced several books, including:
Ferdinando Galli Bibiena, past the age of 86, died on January 3, 1743.
and birthplace of papa Giovanni Maria Galli (1625–1665), who was born at Bibbiena
(Italy
) outside Florence
. 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.
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.
From about 1690 to 1787, eight Bibienas designed and painted for many of the courts of Europe
with intricate settings for opera
s, wedding
s, and funeral
s. The Habsburg
s were their most generous patrons.
also Ferdinando Galli da Bibiena or Bibbiena,
was an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Baroque-era
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, designer
Designer
A designer is a person who designs. More formally, a designer is an agent that "specifies the structural properties of a design object". In practice, anyone who creates tangible or intangible objects, such as consumer products, processes, laws, games and graphics, is referred to as a...
, and painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
.
Ferdinando Galli Bibiena was born in Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
(Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
). He was the brother of Francesco Galli Bibiena, was the father of the painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
Giuseppe Galli Bibiena (1696–1757), and studied art under Carlo Cignani
Carlo Cignani
Carlo Cignani was an Italian painter of the Bolognese and of the Forlivese school, active in the Baroque period....
.
Ferdinando Galli Bibiena died at age 86 in 1743.
Life
Ferdinando Galli Bibiena was born on 18 August 1657 at BolognaBologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
. He was the son of painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
Giovanni Maria Galli (1625–1665), and he studied painting under Carlo Cignani
Carlo Cignani
Carlo Cignani was an Italian painter of the Bolognese and of the Forlivese school, active in the Baroque period....
and architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
under Giulio Troili, called Paradosso. On recommendation of Cignani, Ferdinando entered into the service of the duke of Parma
Parma
Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
, and he also worked for the Farnese dynasty at Piacenza
Piacenza
Piacenza is a city and comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Piacenza...
during those 30 years. His main work during this period was the garden and villa of Colorno
Colorno
Colorno is a comune in the Province of Parma in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 90 km northwest of Bologna and about 15 km north of Parma...
, but he soon earned a reputation for his scenic designs and began working for the theatre.
In 1708, Ferdinando Galli Bibiena was called to Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
to organize the decorations in connection with the wedding festivities of the future Holy Roman emperor Charles VI
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles VI was the penultimate Habsburg sovereign of the Habsburg Empire. He succeeded his elder brother, Joseph I, as Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia , Hungary and Croatia , Archduke of Austria, etc., in 1711...
. When this prince became the Emperor, Ferdinando traveled to Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, 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. Ferdinando was defeated by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach
Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach
----Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, born Johann Bernhard Fischer was probably the most influential Austrian architect of the Baroque period....
when competing for the construction of St. Charles´ church
Karlskirche
The St. Charles's Church is a church situated on the south side of Karlsplatz, Vienna. It is located on the edge of the 1st district, 200 metres outside the Ringstraße...
(Karlskirche
Karlskirche
The St. Charles's Church is a church situated on the south side of Karlsplatz, Vienna. It is located on the edge of the 1st district, 200 metres outside the Ringstraße...
) in Vienna. He returned to Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
in 1716, where in 1717, Ferdinando was elected as a member of the Clementine Academy.
In 1731, Ferdinando Galli Bibiena built the royal theatre of Mantua (which burned 50 years later, in 1781). He produced several books, including:
- 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.
Family
The Galli-Bibiena family derives its name from the surnameSurname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
and birthplace of papa Giovanni Maria Galli (1625–1665), who was born at Bibbiena
Bibbiena
Bibbiena is a town and comune in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany , the largest town in the valley of Casentino. It is located 60 kilometers from Florence, 30 kilometers from Arezzo, 60 kilometers from Siena and 20 kilometers from the Sanctuary of La Verna.The town is on top of a hill at an...
(Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
) outside Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
. Giovanni studied painting under Francesco Albani
Francesco Albani
Francesco Albani or Albano was an Italian Baroque painter.-Early years in Bologna:Born 1578 in Bologna, his father was a silk merchant who intended to instruct his son in the same trade; but by age twelve, Albani became an apprentice under the competent mannerist painter Denis Calvaert, where he...
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.
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.
From about 1690 to 1787, eight Bibienas designed and painted for many of the courts of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
with intricate settings for opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
s, wedding
Wedding
A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes...
s, and funeral
Funeral
A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember the dead, from interment itself, to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor...
s. The Habsburg
Habsburg
The House of Habsburg , also found as Hapsburg, and also known as House of Austria is one of the most important royal houses of Europe and is best known for being an origin of all of the formally elected Holy Roman Emperors between 1438 and 1740, as well as rulers of the Austrian Empire and...
s were their most generous patrons.