Bartolomeo Ammannati

Bartolomeo Ammannati was a renowned Italian sculptor and architect of the High Renaissance, known for his work in Florence and Rome. He was a student of Baccio Bandinelli and Jacopo Tatti, and later became a prominent figure in the Medici court, working alongside Benvenuto Cellini and Giorgio Vasari. Ammannati's sculptures can be found in various Italian cities, including Florence, Rome, and Venice, and his architectural designs were influenced by Donato Bramante and Michelangelo. He was also acquainted with other notable artists, such as Raphael, Andrea del Sarto, and Fra Bartolomeo.

● Early Life and Training

Ammannati was born in Settignano, a small town near Florence, in 1511, to a family of stonecarvers and sculptors. He began his training under Baccio Bandinelli, a prominent Florentine sculptor, and later worked with Jacopo Tatti, also known as Il Sansovino, in Rome. Ammannati's early work was influenced by Classical Greek and Roman art, as well as the works of Michelangelo and Donato Bramante, which he studied during his time in Rome. He was also familiar with the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli, and was part of a circle of artists that included Domenico Ghirlandaio and Perugino.

● Career

Ammannati's career spanned over five decades, during which he worked on numerous projects in Florence, Rome, and other Italian cities. He was appointed as the official sculptor to the Medici court, and worked on various projects, including the Fountain of the Muses in the Palazzo Pitti and the Monument to Marco Mantua Benavides in the Santa Maria del Fiore. Ammannati also collaborated with other notable artists, such as Benvenuto Cellini and Giorgio Vasari, on projects like the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. He was also involved in the design of the Ponte Santa Trinita in Florence, which was built by Cosimo I de' Medici, and worked on the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, alongside Filippo Brunelleschi and Emilio de' Cavalieri.

● Notable Works

Some of Ammannati's most notable works include the Fountain of the Muses in the Palazzo Pitti, the Monument to Marco Mantua Benavides in the Santa Maria del Fiore, and the Sepulcher of Cardinal Antonio Cardona in the Santa Maria sopra Minerva. He also designed the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, which features a number of his sculptures, including the Fountain of Neptune. Ammannati's work can also be found in the Uffizi Gallery, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Vatican Museums, alongside works by other notable artists, such as Raphael, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio. His sculptures are also on display in the Galleria Borghese in Rome, and the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence.

● Style and Influence

Ammannati's style was influenced by the Classical Greek and Roman art he studied during his time in Rome, as well as the works of Michelangelo and Donato Bramante. He was known for his use of marble and his ability to create intricate and detailed sculptures, such as the Fountain of the Muses. Ammannati's work also shows the influence of Mannerism, a style that emerged in Italy during the 16th century, characterized by its use of unusual and unconventional forms. He was also influenced by the works of Andrea del Sarto and Fra Bartolomeo, and was part of a circle of artists that included Domenico Ghirlandaio and Perugino. Ammannati's influence can be seen in the work of later artists, such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Alessandro Algardi, who were also active in Rome and Florence.

● Personal Life

Ammannati was married to Laura Battiferri, a poet and noblewoman from Urbino, and the couple had several children together. He was also a close friend and collaborator of Benvenuto Cellini, with whom he worked on several projects, including the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. Ammannati was known for his strong personality and his involvement in the artistic and cultural scene of Florence and Rome, where he was acquainted with other notable figures, such as Lorenzo de' Medici and Catherine de' Medici. He died in Florence in 1592, at the age of 81, and was buried in the Santa Maria del Fiore, alongside other notable Italian artists, such as Michelangelo and Raphael. Category:Italian sculptors