Jakub Fontana

Giacomo ( James) Fontana (* 1710 in Szczuczyn, Podlaskie Voivodship, † April 13, 1773 in Warsaw) was a Polish architect of Baroque, who was, above all, in Warsaw. He was court architect of the last Polish king, and was raised in 1764 to the peerage. Fontana was the son of Italian immigrants to Poland architect Józef Fontana and a brother of Jan Kanty Fontana ( 1731-1800 ). The husband of his sister Marianne Magdalene was Johann Georg Plersch.

His profession he learned with his father, after he studied in northern Italy, in Rome, Paris and Vienna. His first work - still under the supervision of his father - was the construction of the towers of Piaristenkirche in Łowicz. Together with his father he also built the Franciscan church in Warsaw ( consecrated 1737), designed by Giovanni Battista Ceroni. 1737 he returned to Warsaw from his study in northern Italy and Rome and Paris and Vienna back; after which he began self-employment as an architect and builder. After the death of his father in 1741 Giacomo Fontana took over his business.

In 1742, Fontana began the geodetic survey of all buildings in Warsaw. From 1743 Fontana received as now renowned expert numerous orders of nobles and chiefs monastery. For the Franciscan Church Warsaw in 1750, he designed the main façade, however, was redesigned in 1788 by Josef boretti. In 1750 he also received by Jan Klemens Branicki for the rebuild of the Branicki Palace in Białystok. Eustachy Potocki commissioned him to rebuild his residence in Radzyń Podlaski. One of his staffers, among others belonged the sculptor Johann Georg Plersch.

After the enthronement of the patrons of the arts Stanisław August Poniatowski Fontana was appointed court architect Polish. He promoted in the second half of the 18th century, the transition from Rococo to Neoclassicism in Polish architecture.

Structures ( selection)

  • Construction of Piaristen School Collegium Nobilium in Warsaw ( 1743)
  • Reconstruction of the Malachowski Palace in Warsaw ( 1750)
  • Expansion of Branicki Palace in Warsaw (1750-1754)
  • Reconstruction of the Potocki Palace in Radzyń Podlaski (1750-1758)
  • Remodeling of the interior of the Warsaw Royal Castle (from 1751 )
  • Reconstruction of the Palace in Otwock Wielki Bieliński (1750-1760)
  • Facade of the Cross Church in Warsaw ( from 1753)
  • Construction of the St. Bernard Church in Góra Kalwaria (1755-1759)
  • Reconstruction of the Warsaw Lubomirski Palace ( 1760 )
  • Rebuilding of the Palace of Cracow Bishops in Warsaw (1760-1762)
  • Reconstruction of the Potocki Palace in Warsaw (1760-1762)
  • Reconstruction of Mlodziejowski Palace ( until 1771 )
  • Construction of Karaś Palace (1769-1772)
  • Construction of the so-called Mokronowski Palace (1770 /71)
  • Staircase in Branicki Palace in Białystok
  • Participation in the design of Sanguszko Palace in Izjaslav (Ukraine )
  • Reconstruction of Prażmowski Palace in Warsaw
  • Design for the reconstruction of Warsaw Jabłonowski Palace (1773 )

Palace in Otwock Wielki

Holy Cross Church in Warsaw

Collegium Nobilum in Warsaw

263640
de