[vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”131120″]More than from laboratory tests on samples of materials, always subject to doubts of all kinds, we can understand if the Baptistery is Romanesque or not by making a simple reflection.<\/p>\n
In order to construct a building, you have to create a design, and to create a design you have to possess a proper knowledge of geometry. The Baptistry, with its seemingly simple shape, hides very complex geometries, and if it is believed that is a Romanesque work, it is therefore logical to ask oneself if these geometries would have been within the reach of a Romanesque architect.<\/p>\n
The answer is obvious: absolutely not. Believing that a Romanesque architect could create the complex geometries that are present in the Baptistry is like believing that a bicycle mechanic could tune-up the motor of a Formula One racecar.<\/p>\n
In the Romanesque world there were no architects able to conceive, represent and manage the three-dimensional geometries that we see strictly applied everywhere around the Baptistry, but especially in the loft, where the architect had to face three different geometric patterns \u2013 that of the octagonal prism that constitutes the body of the building, that of the cylindrical surfaces of the vaults of the dome, and that of the inclined planes of the pitches of the pyramidal roof \u2013 as well as direct the workers about how to achieve with absolute precision the various wall structures converging at the top the roof. A hard challenge even for many of today\u2019s graduates.<\/p>\n
This is not an aesthetical evaluation of artistic skills: it is an objective matching of technical knowledge. In the Romanesque period there was no one who could devise and manage all these geometries together – period.<\/p>\n
I can understand how those who have studied literature or art history may not have considered this aspect, and, in formulating a dating of the monument, that they didn\u2019t think to ask a few questions about the geometric knowledge of its designer. But the architects?[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_separator sep_color=”color-jevc”][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”165435″](Below) \u2013 Stages of the construction of the corner compartments, where the curvature of the vaults of the dome begins. In order to successfully overcome this delicate passage a deep knowledge of geometry was necessary, certainly far superior to that of any Romanesque builder.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”126401″]In the heading: detail from the axonometric projection by G. B. Milani (1918)[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator sep_color=”color-jevc”][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_single_image media=”84594″ media_width_percent=”100″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”386113″]The Geometry of the Baptistry (drawing by Roberta Lovino)[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator sep_color=”color-jevc”][vc_single_image media=”84094″ media_width_percent=”100″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”596035″]The geometry of one of the corner compartments of the loft[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_gallery el_id=”gallery-114135″ isotope_mode=”cellsByRow” medias=”84600,84599,84598″ gutter_size=”3″ screen_lg=”1000″ screen_md=”600″ screen_sm=”480″ single_overlay_opacity=”50″ single_padding=”2″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”114471″]Phases of the construction of the corner compartments, where the curvature of the dome sails begins. It is evident that in order to overcome this very delicate passage correctly and with precision, knowledge of geometry far superior to that of the Romanesque builders was required.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”131120″]More than from laboratory tests on samples of materials, always subject to doubts of all kinds, we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":84110,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[87],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n