Giovanni da Bologna (1524-1608) called Giambologna was a master student of Michelangelo and the main representative of mannerism on the threshold between Renaissance and the early Baroque. His art presents the melting of influences of his motherland, Michelangelo’s works and antiquity. A lot of prominent masters, which came both from Italy and other countries studied in his workshop. The bronze and marble sculptures, as well as statues, made an important part of his works.

From 1544 to 1550 he was a student of Jacques Dubroeucq in Mons. A lot of other prominent masters, including some from Germany and his motherland Italy (Hans Reichel, Hubert Gerhard, Adriaen de Vries, Pierre Franqueville, Pietro Tacca and others) studied from that artist. The artist went to Florence and soon became the main sculptor at the Medici court.

The high nobility in the whole Europe tried to get some of his works in possession. The great number of works from the studio of Giambologna were unique. He was admitted to the Order of Christ by the Pope and was raised to the nobility by the emperor. Up to his death in 1608 he stayed at the service of Medici in Florence.

(Rebirth). Designation of art from about 1350 until the 16th century.

A state of mind that developed in Florence in the late 14th century that was retrospectively classified as rebirth of the classical ideals of Greek and Roman antiquity. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Renaissance spread first over Italy and then all over Western Europe and determined the entire artistic creation. Such brilliant artists as Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Dürer, Holbein, Cranach and Fouquet created their immortal works by following the humanistic premises and putting a human being in the center of all thinking.

Renaissance experienced its heyday in literature through dramatic works and poems of William Shakespeare.

At the end of the 16th century, Renaissance had to make way to the luxury of baroque before its ideas had their rebirth in the classicism of the 18th century.

An alloy of copper with other metals (especially with tin) used since ancient times.

Bronze casting:

When casting bronze, artist usually applies the lost-wax technique which is dating back more than 5000 years. It's the best, but also the most complex method of producing sculptures.

Sculpture "The Book Reader" by Ernst Barlachs is shown here as an example:

First, the artist forms a model of his sculpture. It is embedded in a liquid silicone rubber composition. Once the material has solidified, the model is cut out. The liquid wax is poured in the negative mould. After cooling down, the wax casting is removed from the mould, provided with sprues and dipped into ceramic mass. The ceramic mass is hardened in a kiln, and the wax flows out (lost mould).

Now we finally have the negative form, into which the 1400 ° C hot molten bronze is poured. After the bronze had cooled down, the ceramic shell is broken off and the sculpture comes to light.

Now the sprues are removed, the surfaces are polished, patinated and numbered by the artist himself or, to his specifications, by a specialist. Thus, each casting becomes an original work