Antonio Abondio

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Antonio Abondio

Antonio Abondio , also: Abundi, Abbondio ; Signum: AN, AB, AA (* 1538 in Riva del Garda ; † May 3, 1591 in Vienna ) was an Italian painter , medalist and wax boss .

Life

Abondio came from an Italian aristocratic family that produced not only clergy but also sculptors and was based in Ascona . With his father he will have familiarized himself with the most diverse techniques of the fine arts, especially the medal making. He learned early from important colleagues in Northern Italy and is considered a representative of the elegant Italian medal style. Influences can be seen from Leone Leoni , among others . There is evidence of his activity in Italy since 1552.

In 1556 he reached the imperial court of Maximillian II in Vienna via Tyrol , where he found employment as a confettor (portraitist). He confirmed his nobility in 1574. After the latter died in 1576, he remained in his position under Emperor Rudolf II . With this he moved to Prague in 1580 and later returned to Vienna, where he died.

Act

On his travels through Holland, Spain, Germany, Italy and France, he gained a lot of experience which flowed into his work. In this way he has become a leading representative of the medalists of his time, he is considered the last great master of the Cinquecento , although he was active north of the Alps. Abondio's way of portraying the Prince Medal remained, alongside Dutch influences, decisive for Austria and southern Germany for several decades. He did not have an insignificant part in the development of the early baroque in this area.

His medals show the imperial family and the representatives of the Viennese court, but also other potentates of the Holy Roman Empire and great scholars of his time.

The Habsburg medals of grace, created between 1585 and 1587, can be regarded as a highlight in his work. Among other things, he is the creator of the double-headed eagle on Czech and Hungarian coins.

He has made a name for himself not only as a detailed medalist with a high quality standard, but also with his wax cast medallions, which today give us a deep insight into the fashion of the time thanks to their painting. Inspired by the production of the wax mold for bronze , he began to perfect it into independent works of art.

His son Alessandro Abondio (1570–1648) successfully continued his work.

literature

Web links

Commons : Antonio Abondio  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. It often appears in the literature that Antonio Abbondio (* around 1465 in Venice, † 1549 in Milan), Italian builder and sculptor, was his father. However, this has not been confirmed according to recent research. He is also not considered in his will. Instead, the wax boss Alessandro Abondio († 1564), who went to Riva from the village of Bondi, is said to be his father.