- Pirro Ligorio
Pirro Ligorio (c. 1510 -
october 30 ,1583 ) was an Italian architect, painter, antiquarian and garden designer.Biography
Ligorio was born in
Naples . In 1534 he moved toRome , where he developed his interest in antiquities, and was named superintendent to the ancient monuments by the PopesPius IV and Paul IV. In 1549 he began excavations in theHadrian's Villa at Tivoli and designed his masterwork, the water works atVilla d'Este , for CardinalIppolito II d'Este . He also played a role in designing the fountains atVilla Lante in Bagnaio, working alongside Vignola. His Mannerist taste is present also in theCasina Pio IV (also known as Villa Pia) at the Vatican (1559-1562).In 1568 he was fired by Paul V for having criticized
Michelangelo 's work inSt. Peter's Basilica , and moved toFerrara , where he was guest of DukeAlfonso II d'Este .As a scholar of antiquities, one of his most famous published works is a map of ancient Rome ("Antiquae Urbis Imago") from 1561.
He died in Ferrara in 1583.
References
*cite book| last=Coffin|first=D.R.|title=Pirro Ligorio. The Renaissance Artist, Architect, and Antiquarian|publisher=
Penn State Press |year=2003
*cite book|first=Claudio |last=Rendina|title=Enciclopedia di Roma|publisher=Netwon & Compton|location=Rome |year=2000External links
* [http://www.gardenvisit.com/b/ligorio.htm Pirro Ligorio - a biography from the landscape architecture and gardens guide]
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