Height: 18 cm
The owl is one of the bronze birds that decorated the Medici gardens. Stylistically, they occupy a unique place in Giambologna’s oeuvre. They were more loosely - more impressionistically we would now say - modelled in wax, which gave them a lively, natural appearance.
(1529-1608)
The sculptor we now know as Giambologna was born in Flanders as Jean de Boulogne. After his formal training, the 20-year old left for Rome to study classical sculpture. On the way back he received a number of commissions in Florence from art collector Vecchietti, who also introduced him to the Medici. The complex, perfectly finished works Giambologna was commissioned to make for this powerful family made his name as one of Florence’s foremost sculptors.
Giambologna’s early marble sculptures betray Michelangelo’s influence. Soon, however, he developed his own style as exemplified by the famous work `Abduction of a Sabine woman’ which inspired later sculptors such as Bernini. Towards the end of his life Giambologna focused on designing imposing equestrian statues.