|
Historical Artist - Bartolomeo Ammanati (1511 - 1592)
Bartolommeo Ammanati was born in Florence and soon became one of the city’s most
prominent sculptors and architects. Working in the Mannerist style, his sculpture was primarily
influenced by Michelangelo and Sansovino. One of his most outstanding achievements was the
fountain in the Piazza della Signoria, Florence. Ammanati received this commission over other
respected sculptors including Cellini and Giambologna. Later in his life he adopted the views of
the Counter-Reformation and denounced his previous works for their incorporation of nude
figures.
He was more distinguished in architecture than in sculpture. He designed many buildings in
Rome, which included work at the Villa Giulia complex (in collaboration with Vignola and
Vasari), also at Lucca and Florence. His work at the completion of Pitti Palace, commissioned by
Eleonora of Toledo, wife of Cosimo I, is one of his most celebrated achievements (1558-1570),
respecting the original style of Filippo Brunelleschi.
He was also employed in 1569 to build the beautiful bridge over the Arno, known as Ponte Santa
Trinita and one of his most celebrated works. The three arches are elliptic, and though very
light and elegant, have resisted the fury of the river, which has swept away several other
bridges at different times. It was destroyed in 1944, during World War II, and rebuilt in 1957.
Contemporary Italian Artists
Art Galleries in Italy
|
