Le Sculture Delle Porte Della Basilica Di San Petronio In Bologna Scolpite Da eccellenti Maestri De' Secoli XV E XVI pubb;icate per la prima volta Dal Professore Giuseppe Guizzardi e sopra i di lui disegni incise Da Francesco Spagnuoli Illustrate con una Memoria e Documenti inediti Dal Marchese Virgilio Davia Dedicate A Sua Eminenza Reverendissima Il Signor Cardinale Carlo Oppizzoni Arcivescovo Di Bologna -
The 'Sommario' calls for seven plates following pl. 37. Of the six pl. in the Royal Academy's copy the first four carry the numbers 4, 5, 4, 7.
Contents
[T.p., engr. dedic.] - L'Autore Delle Illustrazioni A Chi Legge - [Text, 'Parte Prima. Intorno alle Sculture della Porta di mezzo'] - Sommario delle Tavole relative alla Prima Parte - [Plates] - [Text, 'Parte Seconda. Intorno alle Sculture delle Porte piccole'] - Sommario delle Tavole relative alla Seconda Parte - Appendice De' Documenti - [Plates].
Responsibility Note
All plates (except the engraved dedication) are signed as drawn by G. Guizzardi and engraved by F. Spagnoli.
The work is dedicated by Giuseppe Guizzardi to Cardinal Carlo Oppizzoni.
References
M. Fanti and D. Lenzi, Una basilica per una città: sei secoli in San Petronio (1994); J. Beck, Jacopo della Quercia (1991).
Summary Note
Three plates show front elevations of the three doors. The rest show their sculptures (bas-reliefs). The subjects of most of the reliefs are events recorded in the Gospels, and some are stories from the Old Testament, or saints, angels and sybils. The sculptures on the central doorway were made by Jacopo della Quercia between 1426 and 1430; those on the side-doors were made later by a team of sculptors under the direction of Ercole Seccadenari.
Provenance
9 November 1841: Council approved purchase of 'Le Porte di San Petronio Bologna' at £5.8.0.' (RA Council Minutes, IX, 209). Cf.: Royal Academy Accounts, Quarterly Abstract of Bills, Michaelmas to Xmas 1841: Paid C. F. Molini £5.4.0.' (RAA/TRE/1/3).
Copy Note
Imperfect: lacks one of the last seven plates.
Binding Note
19th-century quarter black cloth, marbled-papered boards; spine lettered 'Le Porte Di S. Petronio Di Bologna'.
Bible
Christian art and symbolism - Saints - Angels
Sculpture - Bas-reliefs - Doorways - Churches - Italy - Emilia Romagna - Bologna - San Petronio (basilica) - History - 15th century - 16th century