Overview
Florence celebrates the genius of Giovan Battista Foggini (1652–1725) with a monographic exhibition at Palazzo Medici Riccardi from April 10 to September 9. The exhibition marks the 300th anniversary of the death of the late Baroque artist, who passed away in 1725.
Born in Florence on April 25, 1652, Foggini was a versatile artist who worked across multiple disciplines, ranging from sculpture to architecture. After studying at the Medici Academy and refining his skills in Rome, he returned to Florence in 1676, where he became the sculptor and architect at the court of Grand Duke Cosimo III and director of the Galleria Manufactory, for the creation of precious stone and metal objects.
The exhibition traces the career of Giovan Battista Foggini through more than 80 works, including sculptures, drawings, and crafted objects. It begins with his early works and moves through to his bronze sculptures inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses and portraits of the Medici family.
Also on display are exquisite decorative objects, such as the inlaid table from Palazzo Pitti, valuable reliquaries and two important bronzes created for Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici.
The sections The Antique and The Sun King highlight Foggini’s commissions in France, while the documentary section includes sketches, project notes, and correspondence that reflect the artist’s creativity.
The exhibition offers visitors the chance to explore a carefully curated selection of Foggini’s most emblematic works, showcasing his essential contribution to Florentine Baroque art.
