Giovanni Francesco Susini

Giovanni Francesco Susini (1585 – 1653 Florence, Italy) began his studies in the workshop of his uncle, Antonio Susini, one of the closest assistants of the internationally known sculptor Giambologna. As an adolescent, Giovanni was also hired to work in Giambologna’s workshop. In 1624 he traveled to Rome, where he studied newly discovered antique statues.

Although he worked as a sculptor on major public commissions for civic, religious, and private patrons, including pieces for the Medici, Susini is best known as a caster. After his uncle’s death, Giovanni took over the family bronze foundry. Filippo Baldinucci, Giambologna’s biographer, recorded that Giovanni and Antonio Susini kept Giambologna’s models after the great artist’s death and continued to cast from them.