Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Venice (1481–1489) Flashcards
Q: What is Santa Maria dei Miracoli, and when was it built?
A: built between 1481 and 1489 by Pietro Lombardo and his sons Antonio and Tullio.
Q: Why was Santa Maria dei Miracoli built?
A: It was constructed as a votive chapel to house a miracle-working image of the Virgin and Child.
Q: What inspired the construction of Santa Maria dei Miracoli?
A: A miracle-working image of the Virgin and Child painted by Zanino di Pietro around 1430 began performing miracles in 1480, prompting the local citizens to fund a votive chapel.
what miricales had this relic performed
an example: the rescue of a man who had fallen into the canal while washing and remained under water for half an hour.
By which point in construction was there a surplus of funds (and what changed as a result)
By the end of 1484, the available funds far exceeded the costs of construction; thus the procurators decided to expand upon the existing plan.
he revised plan called for the addition of a chancel and for the construction of a convent along the side of the church. This convent was populated with Franciscan ‘Poor Clares’ whose duty it was to service the shrine.
what origionally connected the chapel to the convent
There was initially a raised walkway which connected the convent to the chapel so that the Clares did not have to walk in the streets/mix with the public, and they sat in a raised balcony, hidden from view
Q: How did the Venetian state typically fund church construction, and how was Santa Maria dei Miracoli different?
A: Normally, the state paid for churches, but this church was funded by local citizens and private donations.
Q: What role did the Franciscan Poor Clares play?
A: A convent was added alongside the church for the Poor Clares, who served the shrine.
Q: Who was the primary patron of Santa Maria dei Miracoli?
A: The church was funded by local citizens and devotees of the miraculous image.
Q: What changes occurred due to the surplus of funds?
A: A chancel and a convent were added to the original plan, expanding the church’s purpose.
Q: What was the original function of the church?
A: It was intended as a votive chapel to house the miraculous image.
Q: How did its function evolve?
A: It became a monastic institution for the Franciscan Poor Clares.
Q: How does the façade of Santa Maria dei Miracoli stand out?
A: It is fully sheathed in coloured marble and is freestanding in a city where space is limited.
overall description of the facade
*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 ‘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.
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
Q: What classical elements are present in the façade?
A: 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)
Q: What Byzantine elements can be observed?
A: 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.
Q: What is the significance of the coloured marbles used on the façade?
A: They recall Tuscan architecture and emphasize Venetian wealth and devotion.
Q: How is the interior of Santa Maria dei Miracoli unique? AND what is the plan of the interior
A: 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, raised on pendentives and a drum.
significance of 15 steps up to the altar
an allusion to the Virgin’s first consecration, when she was presented at the Temple of Jerusalem a the age of three and ascended its steps unassisted.
The steps represented psalms describing the stages by which one passed though virtue and perfection to redemption.
: What does the interior symbolize?
A: The church resembles a medieval reliquary box, emphasizing its function as a repository for the miraculous image.
Q: How is light used in the interior?
A: Tall windows allow natural light to enhance the brilliance of the marble decorations.
: How does Santa Maria dei Miracoli reflect Venetian civic pride?
A: Its lavish decoration and public-funded construction symbolize the devotion of Venetian citizens and their reverence for the Virgin.
Q: What is the significance of the Virgin Mary to Venice?
A: She is one of Venice’s patron saints, and the city’s foundation is linked to the feast of the Annunciation in 421 AD.
Q: How does the church blend Renaissance and Venetian styles?
A:
Classical elements like rounded arches recalling classical buildings like the colosseum
*The design of the exterior is also inspired by the Romanesque baptistery of Florence (believed to be classical at the time)
-harmonious design
-and modular proportions mix with uniquely Venetian polychrome decoration and textures.
-byzantine inspired hemispherical dome
-classical barrel vault
what was the barrel vault influenced by
*The barrel vault of the interior was probably influenced by Alberti’s designs for the Tempio Maletestiano c. 1450
Q: How did humanism influence Santa Maria dei Miracoli?
A: Classical proportions, symmetry, and references to Roman architecture reflect the Renaissance humanist ideals of harmony and order.
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
Q: How did patronage shape the church?
A: Local citizens’ devotion and funds expanded its purpose from a small votive chapel to a richly adorned convent and church.
Q: How does the church emphasize religious devotion?
A: Its design, materials, and the miraculous image signify its role as a spiritual and sacred center.
Q: What engineering marvels were used in Venice to construct buildings like Santa Maria dei Miracoli?
A: 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
Q: What are the key materials used in the church, and where do they come from?
A:
White marble: Carrara, Italy
Purple porphyry: Egypt
Green serpentine: Prato, Italy
Q: How does Santa Maria dei Miracoli deviate from classical norms?
A: Lombardo reverses the Vitruvian ‘order’, as exemplified by the Colosseum, by placing ionic pilasters above Corinthian.
The Ionic pilasters are placed above Corinthian ones, and structural elements like arches and entablatures lack traditional supports.
*The crowning entablature lacks any structural supports beneath it
*The semi-circular pediment lacks any support from the arcade below.
where in grid
religious architecture, venice
