Stefano Bonsignori, also known as Buonsignori, died in Florence on September 21, 1589. An Italian monk of the Olivetan Order and a renowned cartographer, he left his mark on the cultural and artistic heritage of Tuscany through his work. He honored his native Florence in particular by creating the famous Bonsignori map.
Little is known about Bonsignori's early life, but his path led him into the Olivetan Order before he received a special honor in 1575: Francesco I, Grand Duke of Tuscany, invited him to become his personal cartographer.
His special talent was shown in the challenge that the Grand Duke set him. Francesco I commissioned him to complete a cycle of maps for the Guardaroba, the dressing room in Palazzo Vecchio. This had remained unfinished after the dismissal of Ignazio Danti. Of the total of 53 cartographic panel paintings that adorned the doors of the dressing room, 23 were by the hand of Bonsignori. His last work for this room was created in 1589.
Between 1576 and 1584, Bonsignori's masterpiece, the axonometric map of Florence, was created under the sponsorship of Francesco I and engraved in copper by Bonaventura Billocardi. The map is characterized by a detailed representation, in particular it highlights the Arno River and various water infrastructures. This was a tribute to the successful water policy of Cosimo I, Francesco's father, whose implementation had significantly changed the cityscape of Florence.
Francesco's successor, Ferdinando I, confirmed Bonsignori's position as Grand Ducal Cartographer in 1588. Stefano Bonsignori died a year later. His tomb in the church of Santi Michele e Gaetano was unfortunately lost during renovations in the 17th century. His artistic legacy, however, lives on in his outstanding cartographic works.
Stefano Bonsignori, also known as Buonsignori, died in Florence on September 21, 1589. An Italian monk of the Olivetan Order and a renowned cartographer, he left his mark on the cultural and artistic heritage of Tuscany through his work. He honored his native Florence in particular by creating the famous Bonsignori map.
Little is known about Bonsignori's early life, but his path led him into the Olivetan Order before he received a special honor in 1575: Francesco I, Grand Duke of Tuscany, invited him to become his personal cartographer.
His special talent was shown in the challenge that the Grand Duke set him. Francesco I commissioned him to complete a cycle of maps for the Guardaroba, the dressing room in Palazzo Vecchio. This had remained unfinished after the dismissal of Ignazio Danti. Of the total of 53 cartographic panel paintings that adorned the doors of the dressing room, 23 were by the hand of Bonsignori. His last work for this room was created in 1589.
Between 1576 and 1584, Bonsignori's masterpiece, the axonometric map of Florence, was created under the sponsorship of Francesco I and engraved in copper by Bonaventura Billocardi. The map is characterized by a detailed representation, in particular it highlights the Arno River and various water infrastructures. This was a tribute to the successful water policy of Cosimo I, Francesco's father, whose implementation had significantly changed the cityscape of Florence.
Francesco's successor, Ferdinando I, confirmed Bonsignori's position as Grand Ducal Cartographer in 1588. Stefano Bonsignori died a year later. His tomb in the church of Santi Michele e Gaetano was unfortunately lost during renovations in the 17th century. His artistic legacy, however, lives on in his outstanding cartographic works.
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