Galli Bibiena family

Eighteenth-century Italian architects and theatrical designers.

The family took its final name from the birthplace of its progenitor, the artist Giovanni Maria Galli (1625–65). His descendants are noted for dazzling theatrical designs of spacious proportions achieved by the use of intricate perspective. Giovanni's son Ferdinando Galli Bibiena (1657–1743) studied painting and architecture and worked for the duke of Parma. He designed scenery for court festivities and operas in Barcelona and Vienna and was architect of the royal theatre at Mantua. His brother Francesco (1659–1739) was the ducal architect at Mantua and built theatres in Vienna, Nancy (France), Verona, and Rome. Ferdinando's son Giuseppe (1696–1757), the most distinguished of the family, remained in Vienna to become chief organizer of splendid court functions. Engravings of his stage sets were published in three series (1716, 1723, 1740–44). He designed the interior of the theatre at Bayreuth in 1748. His brothers Alessandro and Antonio were also architects and designers of note. His son Carlo (1728–87), the last of the illustrious family, worked in theatres throughout Europe.

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