CANIANA, GIAN BATTISTA. – Architect, wood-carver, and inlayer, b. at Ronciano on 8 May 1671, d. at Bergamo on 5 May 1745. He is the most important artist of the famous family that for about a century practised the art of wood-carving and inlay in the Bergamasque region.
His activity, centred at Alzano where he settled in 1694, radiated out to all the neighbouring centres, where the best part of his output remains: choir stalls, benches, cupboards, confessionals, pulpits rich in floral decorations, putti, birds, interspersed with inlaid panels. A notable example of this manner is found in the sacristy of Alzano. Among his architectural works are remembered the oratory of S. Maddalena, the parish church of Borgo S. Caterina, and the vault of the church of S. Spirito at Bergamo.
His sons GIUSEPPE and CATERINA achieved a certain renown both as collaborators of their father and for the numerous works they left as altar ornaments, cupboards, confessionals, etc., in the churches of Rosate, Borgo S. Caterina, the Reformed Fathers at Alzano, and in that of the same fathers at Brescia.
GIACOMO, son of Giuseppe, is the last of the family of any importance; his name is particularly linked to the works carried out for the Colleoni chapel at Bergamo.