santa maria dei miracoli Flashcards
(35 cards)
DATE
between 1481 and 1489
architect
Pietro Lombardo and his sons
how does the façade of Santa Maria dei Miracoli stand out?
It is fully sheathed in coloured marble and is freestanding in a city where space is limited.
What are the key materials used in the church, and where do they come from?
White marble: Carrara, Italy
Purple porphyry: Egypt
Green serpentine: Prato, Italy
overall description of the facade (5)
*The façade is divided horizontally.
-large portal on the ground floor surmounted by a semi-circular pediment containing a sculpture of the Virgin, framed by 3 corinthian pilasters on either side with a horizontal entablature
On the second level is a row of ionic pilasters which spring to form 5 arches, two of which contain windows, and the central and outermost of which contain crosses inlaid into the façade with polychrome marble.
*The façade is surmounted with a large and very grand segmental pediment containing a rose window and three roundels.
sheathed with the finest marble and porphyry facings, which are decorated in part with sumptuous carvings in the ‘all’antica’ (classical) style.
how was the facade decorated
*The façade does not need sculpture to decorate it. Instead, Lombardo used cleverly matched coloured marble arranged to form rosettes, circles, octagons and crosses on the façade to decorate it.
*However there are some sculptures: Christ Salvator Mundi flanked by angels stands on top and on either side of the
pediment- THE LARGE PEDIMENT THAT FLANKS THE WHOLE THING
mary depicted in pediment that surmounts the portal
The Annunciation is depicted in the corner spandrels of the arcade ON THE SECOND STOREY (reference to the 421 founding of Venice?); four prophets are in the central spandrels.
The sculptures were made by Giovanni Giorgio Lascaris.
who made the sculptures on the facade and what were they
there are some sculptures: Christ Salvator Mundi flanked by angels stands on top and on either side of the ‘corona’ (pediment).
The Annunciation is depicted in the corner spandrels of the arcade (reference to the 421 founding of Venice?); four prophets are in the central spandrels.
The sculptures were made by Giovanni Giorgio Lascaris.
how did the location allow the chapel to be admired and what drew attention to it
The main façade faces onto a small piazza which allows the church to be admired.
completely freestanding in a city where space was at an absolute premium.
The complete marble facing on all four sides helps to draw attention to the church in its cramped urban site
What classical elements are present in the façade?
the church (for the firt time in venice) was articulated with two classical orders
Two classical orders (Corinthian and Ionic pilasters), rounded arches, and a harmonious, symmetrical design.
(on the ground floor the portal is surmounted by a semi-circular pediment containing a sculpture of the Virgin, framed by 3 corinthian pilasters on either side with a horizontal entablature, AND on the second floor there is a row of ionic pilasters which spring to form 5 arches)
hat Byzantine elements can be observed?
The elevated dome and some decorative aspects, such as the flattened arch, echo Byzantine architecture.
how is importance of the building escalated
-2 steps up to portal
-use of variations of marble
-freestanding (rare in venice)
-The elevated dome – very visible – is reminiscent of the domes of San Marco and thus connects the popular piety expressed by Santa Maria dei Miracoli with the sacred destiny of Venice.
what does the dome recall
*The elevated dome – very visible – is reminiscent of the domes of San Marco and thus connects the popular piety expressed by Santa Maria dei Miracoli with the sacred destiny of Venice.
What is the significance of the coloured marbles used on the façade?
They recall Tuscan architecture and emphasize Venetian wealth and devotion.
How is the interior of Santa Maria dei Miracoli unique? AND what is the plan of the interior
It features a painted and gilded barrel vault, intricate marble carvings, and 50 bust-length paintings of prophets and saints.
The church follows a simple plan: a single-aisled nave covered by a barrel vault with a projecting chancel covered by a dome. The choir, at one end, is raised over a sacristy.
On the high altar was placed the miracle-working image. 15 steps lead to the altar
The miracle-working image is crowned by a byzantine-inspired hemispherical dome
significance of 15 steps up to the altar
status
The steps represented psalms describing the stages by which one passed though virtue and perfection to redemption.
What does the interior symbolize?
The church resembles a medieval reliquary box, emphasizing its function as a repository for the miraculous image.
How is light used in the interior?
Tall windows allow natural light to enhance the brilliance of the marble decorations.
How does Santa Maria dei Miracoli reflect Venetian civic pride?
Its lavish decoration and public-funded construction symbolize the devotion of Venetian citizens and their reverence for the Virgin.
byzantine dome connects to san marco dome
What is the significance of the Virgin Mary to Venice?
She is one of Venice’s patron saints, and the city’s foundation is linked to the feast of the Annunciation in 421 AD.
How does the church blend Renaissance and Venetian styles?
BYZANTINE
-venetian polychrone decoration
-byzantine hemispherical dome
-flattened arch on second storey
CLASSICAL
-cortinthian pilasters surmounted by pediment
-ionic columns form 5 arches
-classical barrel vault
-harmonious and rational design
-The design of the exterior is also inspired by the Romanesque baptistery of Florence (believed to be classical at the time)
what were byzantine influences
-The flattened arch over a wide central bay on the second storey (more Byzantine-looking, like at Ca’ d’Oro)
-the hemispherical dome (symbolize the heavens and divine presence), common as a central feature in byzantine chapels
-polychrome decoration and variation of lavish material and texture
How does Santa Maria dei Miracoli deviate from classical norms?
Lombardo reverses the Vitruvian ‘order’, as exemplified by the Colosseum, by placing ionic pilasters above Corinthian.
What engineering marvels were used in Venice to construct buildings like Santa Maria dei Miracoli?
Piles of Istrian pine were driven into the lagoon bed, and alternating layers of Istrian stone and brick were used for foundations
-The wooden barrel of the interior was the first of its kind in Venice but use of wood was common as it is lightweight and flexible
Why was Santa Maria dei Miracoli built?
It was constructed as a votive chapel to house a miracle-working image of the Virgin and Child.
