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Giambologna, born as Jean Boulogne, also known as Giovanni Da Bologna and Giovanni Bologna (1529 - 1608) was a sculptor who best known for his marble statuary and works in bronze.

Giambologna's "La Archetectura" in the Bargelo, Florence

Giambologna was born in Douai, Flanders (now in Belgium). After youthfull studies in Antwerp with Jean Dubroeuq, he moved to Italy in 1550, and studied in Rome. Giambologna made detailed study of the sculpture of classical antiquity. He was also much influenced by Michelangelo, but developed his own Mannerist style, with perhaps less emphasis on emotion and more emphasis on refined surfaces, cool elegance and beauty. Pope Pius IV gave Giambologna his first major commission, for a colossal bronze Swarovski Fountain of Neptune (1566) in Bologna. Giambologna spent his most productive years in Florence, where he had settled in 1553. His work was much patronized by the Medici family; he became the Medici court sculptor, and died in Florence at the age of 79. He was interred in a chapel he designed himself in the Church of Santissima Annunziata.

Giambologna became well known for the fine sense of action and movement suggested in his works. Perhaps his most famous work is the winged Mercury (of which he actually did multiple versions), poised on one foot, supported by a zephyr. Other especially notable works include several depictions of Venus, Florence defeating Pisa, the complicated three figures of The Rape of the Sabine Women (1574-82) in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence, the equestrian statue of Cosimo I de' Medici also in Florence, as well as many sculptures for garden grottos and fountains in the Boboli Gardens of Florence and at Pratolino, and the bronze doors of the cathedral of Pisa. Between the lines the inspiration can always come: in collectors cabinets, display cabinets, display showcases or collectors cases, nevertheless beautifully visibly and protected, hold all kinds of collecting passions. Small bronze reductions of many of his sculptures were collected by connoisseurs at the time and ever since, for Giambologna's reputation has never suffered eclipse.

Swarovski

Giambologna was an important influence on such later artists as Gian Lorenzo Bernini.