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Orvieto Cathedral: Detail, lower half of facade with mosaics and rose window

Date

Circa 1910

Creator

G. Massiot & cie
Part of: Architectural Lantern Slides of Italy
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries

Mosaics and rose window are attributed to Orcagna, ca. 1359. The facade mosaics, put on from the second half of the 14th century, rapidly deteriorated and were extensively restored from the 17th century.

A document of 1290 states that the new building should be modelled on S Maria Maggiore in Rome. This apparently influenced the early rectangular plan as well as, for example, the original semicircular apse, columnar piers in the nave and the attached half columns used on the exterior flanks. It may also have influenced the rather unusual decision to decorate the facade with mosaics, although the layout and choice of subject-matter differ greatly from those of S Maria Maggiore. The building materials of the cathedral best reflect the local traditions, with foundations and main skeleton of tufa, alternating rows of travertine and basalt delineating the distinctive exterior, and more costly stones (e.g. red marble from Sosselvole and white from Carrara) reserved for the façade. Work on the façade resumed in 1337, and the level of the rose window had been reached by 1348; in 1359 Andrea di Cione Orcagna supervised work on this part of the facade. The facade mosaics, put on from the second half of the 14th century, rapidly deteriorated and were extensively restored from the 17th century.

Images

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Metadata

Creator
G. Massiot & cie
Date
Circa 1910
Publisher
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Material Type
photographs
Conditions Governing Access
To view the physical lantern slide, please contact the Architecture Library to arrange an appointment
Related Location
Orvieto Cathedral (Orvieto, Umbria, Italy): Piazza del Duomo

Metadata

Campus Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Link to Finding Aid
https://curate.nd.edu/show/d504rj45q9c
This digital collection may not include all items or all of the information available about the source collection. See the finding aid for more information.

Metadata

Contact Us

Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries at asklib@nd.edu.


Also from Architectural Lantern Slides of Italy

Santa Francesca Romana: Distant view, depicting façade with medieval campanile behind

Santa Francesca Romana: Distant view, depicting façade with medieval campanile behind

Pisa Cathedral: Overall view, main facade, duomo

Pisa Cathedral: Overall view, main facade, duomo

San Lorenzo fuori le Mura: Interior Corinthian columns supporting gallery

San Lorenzo fuori le Mura: Interior Corinthian columns supporting gallery

Palazzo della Cancelleria: Courtyard with the original columns from the Theatre of Pompey

Palazzo della Cancelleria: Courtyard with the original columns from the Theatre of Pompey

Catacomb of St. Januarius: 19th century illustration of the catacomb frescoes

Catacomb of St. Januarius: 19th century illustration of the catacomb frescoes

Pisa Cathedral: Overall view, main facade of cathedral and campanile to the right

Pisa Cathedral: Overall view, main facade of cathedral and campanile to the right

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