Frans Geffels | |
---|---|
![]() The Relief of Vienna | |
Born | 1625 |
Died | 1694 |
Nationality | Flemish |
Known for | Painting, architecture, printmaking |
Movement | Baroque |
Patron(s) | House of Gonzaga, Mantua |
Frans Geffels, known in Italy as Francesco Geffels (25 August 1624 – 18 February 1694), was a Flemish painter, printmaker, architect, stage designer and designer of ephemeral structures for solemn and festive occasions.[1][2] After training in his native Antwerp, he was mainly active in Mantua, where he was prefetto delle fabbriche to the Duke, a role that gave him the direction of the artistic and construction activities undertaken by the Ducal court.[3] He worked also on projects for the local aristocratic class of Mantua. In addition, he completed projects for the Liechtenstein princes and for the imperial court in Vienna.
He was both a canvas and fresco painter. He created portraits, history subjects, military scenes, architectural scenes and genre art, in particular merry companies.[4] Geffels is mainly remembered as the designer of some of the key examples of Baroque architecture in Mantua.[5]