Giovanni Battista Bracelli, From "Bizzarie di varie Figure", 1624, NGA 46345

Giovanni Battista Braccelli (c. 1575 - c. 1630) was an Italian artist and engraver, known for his illustrations of costume books and his contributions to the development of the Baroque style. He was born in Italy, probably in Florence, and little is known of his early life. Braccelli's most famous work is his book Bizzarie di varie figure, published in 1624. The book contains a series of engravings depicting fantastic creatures and bizarre human figures, often in elaborate costumes. The illustrations are highly detailed and intricate, demonstrating Braccelli's skill as an engraver. In addition to his work on Bizzarie di varie figure, Braccelli also illustrated other costume books and contributed to the development of the Baroque style in Italy. His work was particularly influential in the development of the grotesque style, which became popular in the 17th century. Despite his significant contributions to the art world, little is known about Braccelli's life and career. He is thought to have died around 1630, but the exact date and circumstances of his death are unknown.