Vincenzo Gaggini

Vincenzo Gaggini or Gagini (baptized August 8, 1527 in Palermo ; † March 15, 1595 ibid) was an Italian sculptor and marble mosaicist of the Renaissance in Sicily .

Life

Vincenzo is a member of a family of sculptors who have worked for several generations, whose origins in Bissone on Lake Lugano are documented and whose members were among the most famous sculptors in Sicily, especially in the 16th century. His grandfather Domenico Gagini came to Palermo via Genoa in 1463, his father Antonello Gagini is considered the most important Renaissance sculptor in Sicily. Vincenzo's eldest brother Giacomo Gaggini II (1517–1598) worked after the death of his father as a universal heir and thus in the rank of managing director in the family business. With the second oldest brother Fazio Gaggini (1520-1567) Vinzenzo often worked together. His stepbrothers were Giovanni Domenico Gaggini (* around 1503 in Messina , † 1567 in Palermo) and Antonino Gaggini (active 1541–1577).

In Palermo Cathedral, Antonello Gaggini and his sons, including Vincenzo, created an expansive tribuna for the main apse, of which several sculptures have been preserved, such as the standing figure of Christ in the chancel. The two brothers Vincenzo and Fazio also worked on several high reliefs with a narrative character in the cathedral. Vincenzo worked alone in Burgia, among others.

Very recognized by his contemporaries, the sculptures he created often appear restless and torn, which brings him stylistically close to Mannerism .

Works (selection)

• Chiesa Madre ( Burgio ): “Mother with Child” (Madonna di Trapani) (1566)
• Chiesa San Martini ( Randazzo ): “Madonna della Grazie”
• Santa Caterina di Alessandria ( Milazzo ): “Katharina v. Alexandria ”(1552)
• Palermo Cathedral : bas-relief with 3 three scenes from the life of Jesus and nine high reliefs with scenes from the Passion of Christ (together with Fazio Gaggini)

literature

• Bernd Curt Kreplin : Gaggini (Gagini, Gazini etc) . In: Ulrich Thieme (Hrsg.): General Lexicon of Fine Artists from Antiquity to the Present . Founded by Ulrich Thieme and Felix Becker . tape 13 : Gaab-Gibus . EA Seemann, Leipzig 1920, p. 51–62 ( Textarchiv - Internet Archive - here p. 62 - with family tree of the Gaggini family).
• Gioacchino Di Marzo : Gagini e la scultura in Sicilia. Nei secoli XV e XVI. Memorie storiche e documenti. 2 (in 3) volumes. Giornale di Sicilia, Palermo 1880–1884.
• Andrea Spiriti: I Gaggini. Una stirpe di artisti bissonesi. In: Giorgio Mollisi (ed.): Bissone, terra di artisti (= Arte & Storia. Vol. 8, No. 41, December 2008, ISSN  2235-7769 ). Edizioni Ticino Management, Lugano 2008, pp. 36–45, here pp. 42–43.