Le Sculture Di Niccolò E Giovanni Da Pisa E Di Arnolfo Fiorentino Che Ornano La Fontana Maggiore Di Perugia Disegnate ed incise Da Silvestro Massari e Descritte Da Gio. Battista Vermiglioli

Giovanni Battista Vermiglioli

RA Collection: Book

Record number

07/3214

Author

Imprint

Perugia: 1834, Tip. Baduel Presso Vincenzio Bartelli Colle dovute licenze

Physical Description

xv, [1], 52 p., pl. A-D (fold.), I-LXXVI; 348 mm. (Quarto.)

Contents

[T.p.] - Avvertimento - Siegue la Descrizione delle Tavole A.B.C.D - Indice Delle Tavole - Imprimatur - Descrizione E Spiegazione Delle Tavole - [Fold. pl. A-D] - [Pl. I-LXXVI].

Responsibility Note

No plate is signed.

References

C. Bon Valsassina, La Fontana Maggiore di Perugia (1997); G. Cuccini, Arnolfo di Cambio e la fontana di Perugia 'pedis platee' (1989); K. Hoffmann-Curtius, Das Programm der Fontana Maggiore in Perugia (1968).

Summary Note

The work shows the sculptures of Nicola and Giovanni Pisanus and Nicola's pupil Arnolfo di Cambio, made ca. 1278 for the Fontana Maggiore at Perugia. The fountain is situated in the principal piazza of the city close to the cathedral and other public buildings. Its decorations are among the most striking thirteenth-century sculptures in Italy, drawing creatively on both Gothic and ancient Roman traditions - and are also a complex expression of the city's political independence and cultural aspirations, blending historical, mythological, Christian and pagan motifs. The fountain takes the form of a twenty-five-sided lower basin and a twelve-sided upper basin. The upper (smaller) one has twenty-four statues of white Carrara marble representing Biblical figures and figures relating to Perugian and other history (historical or legendary). The lower basin has twenty-five diptychs showing religious and political history and intellectual and physical activities (including the labors of the twelve months).

Plates A-D show plans, an elevation and architectural details of the fountain. Plates I-LXXV show bas-reliefs and statues. Plate LXXVI shows a Latin inscription.

Binding Note

19th-century quarter mottled calf, vellum corners, green cloth-covered boards; gilt-decorated spine, brown morocco spine-label lettered 'Sculture Della Fontana Di Perugia', spine lettered 'R.A.'

Name as Subject

Subject

Sculpture - Fountains - Public sculpture - Outdoor sculpture - Statues - Bas-reliefs - Italy - Umbria - Perugia - Fontana Maggiore - History - 13th century - Gothic - Renaissance
Christian art and symbolism - Mythology - Iconography
Art history - Italy - 19th century
Pictorial works - Italy - 19th century

Contributors

Silvestro Massari, draughtsman, engraver
Vincenzo Bartelli, publisher
Nicola Pisano, source artist
Giovanni Pisano, source artist
Arnolfo di Cambio, source artist