Giovanni (Battista) Di Toledo

Giovanni (Battista) Di Toledo an eminent Spanish sculptor and architect, flourished about 1550. He visited Rome for improvement, and acquired great reputation. He was invited to Naples by the viceroy, don Pietro di Toledo, who appointed him state architect. He erected the Church of San Giacomo degli Spagnuoli. This work gained for him such a reputation that Philip II appointed him architect of all the royal works of Spain. He removed to Spain in 1559, and began the erection of the Escurial three years later. He continued to superintend this work until his death in 1567.