Gherardo Silvani
Encyclopedia
Gherardo Silvani was an Italian
architect and sculptor, active mainly in Florence
and other sites in Tuscany
during the Baroque
period.
His son Pierfrancesco also became an architect. He worked on the Palazzo Corsini al Prato, Palazzo Capponi-Covoni (1623), Palazzo Fenzi
(1634), Palazzo Pallavicini, Palazzo di San Clemente
. He also helped design and construct the altar of the Basilica di Santo Spirito
. He helped in the reconstruction of the churches of San Frediano
, Santi Simone e Giuda
, Sant'Agostino
, and the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore (Florence), among others. He helped design the façade of the Basilica of Santa Maria at Impruneta
. His model for the façade of the cathedral of Florence was not adopted.
His masterpiece remains the church and façade of San Gaetano
(built 1604–1648) in front of Piazza Antinori in Florence. The work was commissioned by the Cardinal Carlo de Medici, and dedicated to the founder of the Theatine
order. The building work was shared with Matteo Nigetti
. The church is also known as the Church of San Michele and San Gaetano, because it was built on the site of a Romanesque church of San Michele Bertelde. The façade with its sculptural decorations is highly atypical for Florentine churches, which had a predilection for iconoclastic geometrically ornamented façades.
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...
architect and sculptor, active mainly in 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....
and other sites in Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
during the Baroque
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...
period.
His son Pierfrancesco also became an architect. He worked on the Palazzo Corsini al Prato, Palazzo Capponi-Covoni (1623), Palazzo Fenzi
Palazzo Fenzi
Palazzo Fenzi is a palace in Florence, Italy.Built in the 16th century for the Castelli family by Gherardo Silvani, it was later enlarged by the Marucelli family...
(1634), Palazzo Pallavicini, Palazzo di San Clemente
Palazzo di San Clemente
Palazzo di San Clemente is a residential palace in Florence, Italy.-History:Along the current Via Capponi there was a small building visible in plan of the city from 1584, which was acquired and enlarged by Luigi di Toledo, brother of Grand Duchess Eleanor of Toledo...
. He also helped design and construct the altar of the Basilica di Santo Spirito
Santo Spirito di Firenze
The Basilica of Santa Maria del Santo Spirito is a church in Florence, Italy. Usually referred to simply as Santo Spirito, it is located in the Oltrarno quarter, facing the square with the same name...
. He helped in the reconstruction of the churches of San Frediano
San Frediano
San Frediano is the name of three churches in Tuscany, Italy:*Basilica di San Frediano, Lucca*San Frediano, Pisa*San Frediano in Cestello, in Florence...
, Santi Simone e Giuda
Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda
The Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda is a church in Florence, situated on the Piazza San Simone in an area of narrow streets between the Piazza Santa Croce and the Piazza della Signoria. The present structure dates from 1243 but underwent a major renovation designed by Gherardo Silvani in 1630...
, Sant'Agostino
Sant'Agostino
Sant'Agostino is a church in Rome, Italy, not far from Piazza Navona. It is one of the first Roman churches built during the Renaissance. The construction was funded by Guillaume d'Estouteville, Archbishop of Rouen and Papal Chancellor. The façade was built in 1483 by Giacomo di Pietrasanta, using...
, and the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore (Florence), among others. He helped design the façade of the Basilica of Santa Maria at Impruneta
Impruneta
Impruneta is a town and comune of the province of Florence in the Italian region of Tuscany. The population is about 15,000.-Name and production:...
. His model for the façade of the cathedral of Florence was not adopted.
His masterpiece remains the church and façade of San Gaetano
San Gaetano, Florence
San Gaetano, also known as Santi Michele e Gaetano is a Baroque church in Florence, Italy, located on the Piazza Antinori.-History:The church was built for the Theatine order, who obtained funding from the noble families in Florence, including the Medicis. Cardinal Carlo de' Medici was...
(built 1604–1648) in front of Piazza Antinori in Florence. The work was commissioned by the Cardinal Carlo de Medici, and dedicated to the founder of the Theatine
Theatines
The Theatines or the Congregation of Clerks Regular of the Divine Providence are a male religious order of the Catholic Church, with the post-nominal initials "C.R."-Foundation:...
order. The building work was shared with Matteo Nigetti
Matteo Nigetti
Matteo Nigetti was an Italian architect and sculptor. He is considered the most important Baroque architect in Florence....
. The church is also known as the Church of San Michele and San Gaetano, because it was built on the site of a Romanesque church of San Michele Bertelde. The façade with its sculptural decorations is highly atypical for Florentine churches, which had a predilection for iconoclastic geometrically ornamented façades.