Prospero Fontana Italian, 1512-1597

Prospero Fontana (Bologna, Italy, 1512 – 1597) 

Born in Bologna in 1512, he received his training in Innocenzo da Imola's workshop.  

Later, he briefly moved to Genoa, where he collaborated with artists like Giulio Romano, Perino, and Pordenone on projects such as Palazzo Doria and Palazzo della Signoria. 

In 1539, he married Antonia de Bonardis, who hailed from a family of typographers. This connection to printing techniques would eventually prove useful in his artistic endeavours over time. Over the following years, he built a solid reputation as a theatrical set designer. 

His career was notably eventful. He worked extensively in Rome, contributing to the construction of Castel Sant'Angelo. This project opened doors to other prestigious commissions from the Farnese family. Additionally, he travelled to Rimini and Ravenna, where he restored his relationships with Vasari and Doceno. In Bologna, he collaborated with Tibaldi. 

During these years he also collaborated with Taddeo Zuccari, Lorenzo Sabatini, and Giovanni Baglione. 

 
In 1573, he settled permanently in Bologna. 

Between 1580 and 1590, his activity slowed down. In 1581, he was elected as the head of the corporation of Bolognese painters, a position that reflected his pivotal role within the city's artistic landscape. 

He died in 1597 in Bologna. 

Photo UniCredit Group (Sebastiano Pellion di Persano)