Giovanni Battista Magnani
Encyclopedia
Giovanni Battista Magnani (21 September 1571 – 1653) was an Italian architect working entirely in Parma
in the first half of the 17th century. He was the most successful of a family of masons and architects that included his father Nicostrato and his son Carlo.
He was trained in the workshop of Giovan Battista Aleotti
, with whom he collaborated at the hexagonal church of Santa Maria del Quartiere, and which he completed after Aleotti's death, altering the design (1604–1610). He completed Aleotti's indoor theatre for Ranuccio Farnese
, the first theatre with changeable scenery. Among his early works on his own are the monument erected in the Duomo to his friend, the painter Agostino Carracci
(died 1602), the altar to Saint Joseph in the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata
(1608) and, in fulfilment of a vow, that for the Carmelites
in Santa Maria Maddalena de' Pazzi (1611).
In 1622 he was nominated architect to the city, in the service of the Farnese dukes. In this capacity he was responsible for four temporary triumphal arch
es, one of which was engraved in Milan by Carlo Bianchi, was intended for the festive and solemn first entrata
into Parma of Margherita de' Medici
following her wedding in Florence to Duke Odoardo I Farnese, 11 October 1628.
Among his works are the fountain in the Benedictine monastery of San Paolo (1613–1624); the interior reconstruction and campanile
of Sant'Alessandro (1622–1624); the arcaded municipal palazzo (1627–1629). He collaborated in the construction of the courtyard and grand staircase of the palazzo della Pilotta
. Among designs attributed to him are that for the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in the Oltretorrente district (1617). Design of the conservative façade of the church of San Giovanni Evangelista, Parma, still Mannerist
in its handling, which has sometimes been attributed to him, was entrusted to Simone Moschino, and carried out by Giambattista Carra da Bissone, who also realized the sculptures.
Parma
Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
in the first half of the 17th century. He was the most successful of a family of masons and architects that included his father Nicostrato and his son Carlo.
He was trained in the workshop of Giovan Battista Aleotti
Giovan Battista Aleotti
Giovan Battista Aleotti was an Italian architect.Aleotti was born in Argenta. He completed, with the assistance of his pupil Giovanni Battista Magnani, the plan of the Bolognese church of Santa Maria del Quartiere...
, with whom he collaborated at the hexagonal church of Santa Maria del Quartiere, and which he completed after Aleotti's death, altering the design (1604–1610). He completed Aleotti's indoor theatre for Ranuccio Farnese
Ranuccio Farnese
Ranuccio Farnese may refer to:*Ranuccio Farnese il Vecchio , grandfather of Pope Paul III*Ranuccio Farnese , son of Pope Paul III*Ranuccio Farnese , grandson of Pope Paul III...
, the first theatre with changeable scenery. Among his early works on his own are the monument erected in the Duomo to his friend, the painter Agostino Carracci
Agostino Carracci
Agostino Carracci was an Italian painter and printmaker. He was the brother of the more famous Annibale and cousin of Lodovico Carracci....
(died 1602), the altar to Saint Joseph in the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata
Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata
The Shrine of Santa Maria della Steccata is a Greek-cross design Renaissance church in central Parma, Italy.-History:By 1392, the site held a small oratory to shelter a miraculous image of St. John the Baptist and was neighboring a religious confraternity that had an equally miraculous image of the...
(1608) and, in fulfilment of a vow, that for the Carmelites
Carmelites
The Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites is a Catholic religious order perhaps founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel, hence its name. However, historical records about its origin remain uncertain...
in Santa Maria Maddalena de' Pazzi (1611).
In 1622 he was nominated architect to the city, in the service of the Farnese dukes. In this capacity he was responsible for four temporary triumphal arch
Triumphal arch
A triumphal arch is a monumental structure in the shape of an archway with one or more arched passageways, often designed to span a road. In its simplest form a triumphal arch consists of two massive piers connected by an arch, crowned with a flat entablature or attic on which a statue might be...
es, one of which was engraved in Milan by Carlo Bianchi, was intended for the festive and solemn first entrata
Royal Entry
The Royal Entry, also known by various other names, including Triumphal Entry and Joyous Entry, embraced the ceremonial and festivities accompanying a formal entry by a ruler or his representative into a city in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period in Europe...
into Parma of Margherita de' Medici
Margherita de' Medici
Margherita de' Medici was Duchess of Parma and Piacenza by her marriage to Odoardo Farnese, Duke of Parma...
following her wedding in Florence to Duke Odoardo I Farnese, 11 October 1628.
Among his works are the fountain in the Benedictine monastery of San Paolo (1613–1624); the interior reconstruction and campanile
Campanile
Campanile is an Italian word meaning "bell tower" . The term applies to bell towers which are either part of a larger building or free-standing, although in American English, the latter meaning has become prevalent.The most famous campanile is probably the Leaning Tower of Pisa...
of Sant'Alessandro (1622–1624); the arcaded municipal palazzo (1627–1629). He collaborated in the construction of the courtyard and grand staircase of the palazzo della Pilotta
Palazzo della Pilotta
The Palazzo della Pilotta is a complex of edifices in the historical centre of Parma, in northern Italy. Its name derives from the game of pelota.-History:...
. Among designs attributed to him are that for the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in the Oltretorrente district (1617). Design of the conservative façade of the church of San Giovanni Evangelista, Parma, still Mannerist
Mannerism
Mannerism is a period of European art that emerged from the later years of the Italian High Renaissance around 1520. It lasted until about 1580 in Italy, when a more Baroque style began to replace it, but Northern Mannerism continued into the early 17th century throughout much of Europe...
in its handling, which has sometimes been attributed to him, was entrusted to Simone Moschino, and carried out by Giambattista Carra da Bissone, who also realized the sculptures.
Further reading
- A. Pezzana, Memorie degli scrittori e letterati parmigiani, III, 1827, 921-923
- Dizionario enciclopedico di architettura e urbanistica, III, 1969, 464
- B. Adorni, L'architettura farnesiana, 1974, 193