Bernardo Buontalenti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernardo Buontalenti
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| Pronunciation | [berˈnardo ˌbwɔntaˈlɛnti] |
| Born | c. 1531 |
| Died | June 1608 |
| Other names | Bernardo Delle Girandole |
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Bernardo Buontalenti (born around 1531 – died June 1608) was a very talented Italian person. He was also known as Bernardo Delle Girandole. He worked as a stage designer, architect, and military engineer. He was also an artist and is even credited with inventing Italian ice cream, called Gelato!
About Bernardo Buontalenti
Bernardo Buontalenti was born in Florence, Italy, around 1531. When he was young, he started working for the powerful Medici family. He stayed with them for his whole life.
He learned many skills from famous artists. He studied painting with Salviati and Bronzino. He learned sculpture from Michelangelo Buonarroti. He also learned architecture from Giorgio Vasari. He even learned how to paint tiny pictures, called miniatures. He made many miniatures for Francesco, the son of Cosimo I.
Bernardo was especially famous as an architect. He designed strong forts, beautiful villas, and amazing gardens. He is seen as one of the most important architects of the Mannerist period. This was a style of art and architecture popular in the late 1500s. Bernardo was also a great inventor and a skilled mathematician. In 1562, he traveled to Spain.
His first known work was in 1568. It was the Palazzo di Bianca Cappello in Florence. Some of his biggest projects include designing the new city of Livorno. He also decorated the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. The Boboli Gardens have a famous grotto, which is a cool cave-like structure.
He also worked on the Parco di Pratolino. Not much of this park remains today. But you can still see a giant sculpture by Giambologna. It is called the Colossus of the Apennines.
Bernardo was also a skilled military engineer. He designed the forts for the port of Livorno. He also worked on the Forte di Belvedere in Florence. He helped build city walls for places like Pistoia, Grosseto, and Naples. He even improved designs for cannons. He also invented a new type of fiery grenade.
Inside the Uffizi Palace in Florence, he built a large stage. Here, during the winter of 1585–1586, he put on amazing parties and shows. He also designed the costumes for the Medici family's grand theatrical events. He was also very good at keeping ice cold. He is known for inventing an early version of modern Florentine gelato.
Even though he was successful, Bernardo spent a lot of money. This led him to have money problems later in life. The Grand Duke of Tuscany gave him a pension to help him live comfortably.
Bernardo's Theaters and Designs
Bernardo Buontalenti built several theaters. One of them was the Theater of Baldracca. It opened in 1576, when Bernardo was the Court Architect. This made it one of the oldest theaters in Florence.
This theater was different from modern ones. The stage was raised a little. The audience had to stand or sit on long benches to watch the show. The theater also had a special box with a screen. Important guests could sit there and see the show without being seen. However, this theater was not very popular. It was later replaced by the Uffizi Gallery Library.
Another theater Bernardo built was the Medici Theater. He built it for the Grand Duke Francesco I Medici. Bernardo worked on this theater between 1576 and 1586. He used an experimental and artistic style for its design. Later, in 1589, he had to change some decorations. This was to show the power of Grand Duke Ferdinando I.
The design of the room was inspired by ancient theaters. Bernardo also made the floor sloped. This helped the audience see the stage better. But when the court moved to a new place, the theater was left behind.
In 1592, Buontalenti and his student Matteo Nigetti were asked to build the Palazzo Nonfinito. However, only the first floor was finished.
Before he died, Bernardo Buontalenti was involved in other Baroque theaters. He also helped design special stage machines for performances. He created many colorful costumes for the Medici Theater. Finally, he was in charge of arranging amazing fireworks displays for some of the shows.
See also
In Spanish: Bernardo Buontalenti para niños
