The problem of figurative relief sculpture in the façade decoration of the Bologna palazzo del Podestà
https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2023-1-228-242
Abstract
The article focuses on the structure and semantic analysis of figurative reliefs in the façade decoration of the Bologna palazzo del Podestà (13th – 15th c.), which was rebuilt in Renaissance style in the epoch of Giovanni II Bentivoglio (ruled in 1463–1506) and presents an important example of Quattrocento palace architecture in the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna. The problem of the palace reconstructions makes it necessary to look at its decoration in the broader context of 15th century secular buildings in Bologna and Emilia Romagna. Consequently, firstly, three groups of reliefs are discerned (prevailing floral reliefs, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic reliefs, reliefs on historical subject). Secondly, the “retrospective” character of many elements concerned seems obvious and may be explained as inspired by local as well as tramontane Romanesque decorative tradition. Thirdly, semantic interpretation in the historical context of Bologna is accepted as applicable not only to the reliefs on historical subject here, but also to other carvings.
About the Author
O. S. Smagol
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Oxana S. Smagol, postgraduate
1, Leninskye Gory, Moscow, 119991
References
1. Benelli, F. (2002), “Il palazzo del Podestà tra novità e tradizione”, in Ricci, M. (ed.), L’architettura a Bologna nel Rinascimento (1460–1550): centro o periferia? Atti della giornata di studi, Minerva Edizioni, Bologna, Italy, pp. 47–68.
2. Beseghi, U. (1960), Palazzi di Bologna, Tamari, Bologna, Italy.
3. Bettini, S. (2017), Il palazzo dei Diamanti a Bologna, Edizioni Diabasis, Parma, Italy.
4. Bevilacqua, M. (2016), “Mura di luce, facciate di diamanti. Metafore del bianco nell’architettura del Quattrocento”, Opus Incertum. Rivista di storia dell’architettura, No. 2, pp. 34–47.
5. Dall’Orca, P., Orlandi, P. and Riccomini, E. (2000), Palazzi di Bologna, L’inchiostroblu, Bologna, Italy.
6. Drogin, D.J. (2010), “Art, patronage and civic identities in Renaissance Bologna”, in Rosenberg, Ch.M. (ed), The court cities in Nothern Italy, Cambridge University Press, New York, USA, pp. 244–324.
7. Galeazzi, G. (2018), “Il palazzo del Podestà di Bologna”, La torre della Magione. Comitato per Bologna storica e artistica, no. 3, pp. 2–5.
8. Ghisetti Giavarina, A. (2007–2008), “Il bugnato a punta di diamante nell’architettura del Rinascimento italiano”, Lexicon: Storie e Architettura in Sicilia, no. 5–6, pp. 9–26.
9. Heydenreich, L.H. (1996), Architecture in Italy. 1400–1500. Yale University Press, New Heaven, USA.
10. Sambin De Norcen, M.T. and Schofield, R. (2018), Palazzo Bentivoglio a Bologna, Bononia University Press, Bologna, Italy.
11. Smagol, O. (2019), “ ‘Rustic masonry’ as palace architectural ornament in Emilia Romagna of the 15th century. Bologna and Ferrara”, História da arte. No. 8, pp. 138– 149. (Serie W: the art of ornament. Senses, archetypes, shapes and functions, IHA/ FCSH/NOVA)
Review
For citations:
Smagol O.S. The problem of figurative relief sculpture in the façade decoration of the Bologna palazzo del Podestà. RSUH/RGGU Bulletin: “Literary Teory. Linguistics. Cultural Studies”, Series. 2023;(1(2)):228-242. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2023-1-228-242
Views:
112
Email this article 