Mars

1550

Moves to Italy and studies ancient sculpture in Rome

The son of a craftsman from Douai, probably a mason and sculptor, Jean moved to Italy after youthful studies in Antwerp with the architect-sculptor Jacques Du Brœucq and made a detailed study of ancient sculpture in Rome. Michelangelo influenced him strongly, but he developed his own Mannerist style, less emotional but refined in its surfaces and smallest details.

1553

Settles in Florence

Giambologna settled in Florence, at first as a guest at the Palazzo Vecchietti. He studied the works of Niccolò Tribolo and Pierino da Vinci, Leonardo's nephew, and through Vecchietti's mediation was introduced at the court of Francesco I de' Medici.

1563 · Loopbaan

the Accademia del Disegno and Medici court sculptor

Giambologna was made a member of the prestigious Accademia delle Arti del Disegno, which by some accounts had just been founded by Duke Cosimo I de' Medici on 13 January 1563 under the influence of Giorgio Vasari, and by others was founded by Vasari in 1561 and reorganised by the Duke. He also became one of the Medici's most important court sculptors.

13 August 1608

Dies in Florence, which the Medici never let him leave

Giambologna died in Florence aged 79: the Medici had never let him leave the city, rightly fearing that the Austrian or Spanish Habsburgs would lure him into their permanent service. He was buried in a chapel he had designed himself in the church of Santissima Annunziata.

13 augustus 1608

Died