Other names

Biography

Giovanni da Bologna (1529-1608), also known as Giambologna, was born in Douai. He trained in Antwerp with Jacques du Broeuq and traveled to Italy around 1550, where he was able to study the sculptures of Classical Antiquity and the work of Michelangelo in Rome. In 1553 he settled in Florence, protected by Bernardo Vecchietti, and later entered the service of the Medici as court sculptor, which made his work acquire great prestige. Numerous works by Giambologna are scattered in museums and institutions. See, in this regard: Samson defeating a Philistine (Victoria & Albert Museum, London), Venus of the Grotto (Boboli Garden, Florence) or Philip III (Piazza Maggiore, Madrid).

Bibliography

• AVERY, Charles (1993): Giambologna. The complete sculpture, Phaidon Press,, Londres.
• DESJARDINS, Abel (1883): La vie et l'oeuvre de Jean ­Bologne, d'après les manuscrits inédits ­recueillis par ­Foucques de Vagnonville, A. Quantin, París.
• DHANENS, Elisabeth (1956): Jean Boulogne, Giovanni ­Bologna Fiammingo, Paleis der Academiën, Bruselas.