Foggini, Giulio

Active: late 17th century – early 18th century

Giulio Foggini (1652–1725) born Giovanni Battista Foggini, was an Italian sculptor active in Florence during the late Baroque period. He was one of the most accomplished sculptors working in Tuscany at the turn of the eighteenth century, known for his dynamic figural compositions, expressive modelling, and refined handling of marble and bronze.

Trained in Florence, Foggini developed a style rooted in the Roman Baroque tradition, characterised by energetic movement, dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, and emotionally charged gesture. His work demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of anatomy and drapery, combined with a strong sense of narrative and theatrical presence.

Foggini produced a wide range of sculpture, including reliefs, freestanding figures, and decorative works for ecclesiastical and civic settings. His output reflects the continued vitality of Baroque sculpture in Florence well into the early eighteenth century, at a moment when more restrained classical tendencies were beginning to emerge elsewhere in Europe.

Although his work is primarily associated with Italy, Foggini’s sculpture was known beyond Tuscany through drawings, models, and the circulation of Baroque visual language. In a broader European context, he represents the late flowering of Italian Baroque sculpture before the transition toward academic classicism.

 

Works