Albertolli

Swiss family of artists and teachers. They were active in northern Italy in the 18th century and the first half of the 19th and were particularly influential in the field of art teaching, since the chair in design at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan was held by a member of the family from 1776 to 1844. The head of the family was the architect and engineer Francesco Saverio Albertolli (b Bedano, nr Lugano, 1701), who worked with his sons Michele Albertolli (b Bedano, 29 Sept 1732) and later (1) Giocondo Albertolli at Aosta, where Michele's son Alberto Albertolli ( fl 18th century) was active as a stuccoist. Both Francesco Saverio's brother and his third son, Grato Albertolli ( fl 1744-5; d 1812), were also stuccoists. The most distinguished member of the family was (1) Giocondo, who documented the history of the family. His son (3) Raffaele Albertolli and Michele's other sons, (2) Giacomo Albertolli, (4) Ferdinando Albertolli and Fedele Albertolli (b Bedano, 1789; d Monza, Feb 1832), also worked in the arts. According to Giocondo, who championed the unity of architecture, applied decoration and furnishings, the family inspired the French architects Charles Percier, Pierre-Fran?ois Fontaine and Moreau, who themselves reawakened artistic interest in the applied arts in France.

The following members have entries:

• (Giuseppe) Giocondo Albertolli
• Giacomo Albertolli
• (Stefano) Raffaele Albertolli
• Ferdinando Albertolli

See the Abbreviations for further details.