Giovanni Battista Foggini facts for kids

Tomb of Galileo Galilei in Santa Croce, Florence.

Giovanni Battista Foggini (born April 25, 1652 – died April 12, 1725) was a famous Italian sculptor. He lived and worked in Florence, a beautiful city in Italy. Foggini was especially known for making amazing small statues out of bronze.

Becoming a Sculptor

Giovanni Battista Foggini was born in Florence. When he was young, the powerful Medici family sent him to Rome. This was so he could study art at a special school called the Accademia Fiorentina.

In Rome, he learned from a skilled sculptor named Ercole Ferrata. Ferrata was a student of another famous artist, Alessandro Algardi. Foggini also learned how to draw from Ciro Ferri, who was the head of the Accademia.

Returning to Florence

Foggini came back to Florence in 1676. He quickly became the main sculptor for Cosimo III, who was the Grand Duke of Tuscany. This meant he worked directly for the royal family!

Chained captive, Asia by Foggini

Chained captive, Africa by Foggini

In 1686, another important sculptor, Fernando Tacca, passed away. After this, Foggini became the most important sculptor in Florence. He was even called the "First Architect and First Sculptor of the Most Serene House."

His Own Workshop

In 1687, Foggini bought a workshop that used to belong to Giambologna, another very famous sculptor. This workshop had a special place for melting metal, called a foundry. This allowed Foggini to make many small bronze statues. He often sold these statues to people in other countries.

He even made his own versions of statues called Moors by Pietro Tacca. These were so popular that people kept making copies of them for many years.

Famous Artworks

Foggini created many beautiful artworks in Florence. One of his most important works is in the Chiesa del Carmine. This church has a special chapel called the Corsini Chapel.

Corsini Chapel Sculptures

The Corsini Chapel was built to honor Saint Andrew Corsini, a family member who became a saint. Foggini made three large marble sculptures for this chapel. They show important moments from Saint Andrew's life. These include San Andrea in Glory, The Mass of San Andrea Corsini, and The Battle of Anghiari. He finished these amazing works between 1685 and 1687.

He also created art for the Feroni Chapel in the Annunziata church. Another one of his big projects was designing the main staircase in the Medici-Riccardi Palace in Florence.

Small Bronze Statues

Besides his large works, Foggini also made many small bronze statues. One example is David with the Head of Goliath. These smaller pieces were very popular and showed his great skill.

Foggini's Students

Giovanni Battista Foggini taught many young artists who became famous sculptors themselves. Some of his students included Fernando Fuga, his nephew Filippo della Valle, Balthasar Permoser, Giovacchino Fortini, and Giovanni Baratta. Another artist named Massimiliano Soldani Benzi also studied in Rome at the same time as Foggini. He also became known for making small bronze sculptures.

Gallery

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  Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III de Medici - 1683 - Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City

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  Grand Prince Ferdinando de Medici - Giovanni Battista Foggini - 1683 - Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York City

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  Ferdinando II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany - 1690 - National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

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  Bust of Cosimo III de' Medici, 1717-1718 CE. By Giovanni Battista Figgini. Marble, from Italy, Florence. The Victoria and Albert Museum, London

See also

In Spanish: Giovanni Battista Foggini para niños