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Milan Cathedral: View of roof showing tall capitals and flying buttresses

Date

Circa 1910

Creator

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

The present, unusual terraced roof was not completed until the 19th century. The tall capitals (6 m high) were designed (1391) by Giovannino de Grassi in the form of sculptured tabernacles.

The Gothic cathedral took five centuries to complete and is the fourth-largest church in the world. In 1386, Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo began construction in a rayonnant Late Gothic style more typically French than Italian. There is a long list of master builders who served as head of the Fabbrica del Duomo (created 1387), beginning with Simone da Orsenigo. The Fabbrica employed foreign architects as well, French and German, including Nicolas de Bonaventure (designer of the apse windows) and Heinrich von Gmünd (of the Parler family). July 1391 the Italian architect and painter Giovannino de Grassi was appointed engineer of the Fabbrica and produced a wide range of works including the design of the pier capitals. On May 20, 1805, Napoleon Bonaparte, about to be crowned King of Italy, ordered the façade to be finished; finally within seven years, the facade was finished, following a 17th century Neo-Gothic plan by Carlo Buzzi.

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
Milan, Lombardy, Italy: Piazza del Duomo

Metadata

Campus Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Link to Finding Aid
https://curate.nd.edu/show/fq977s78657
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

Broletto, Como: Detail, lower part of clock tower and arches of loggia

Broletto, Como: Detail, lower part of clock tower and arches of loggia

Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo: View of facade and side with external staircase and balcony

Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo: View of facade and side with external staircase and balcony

San Marco: Interior view of pulpit: altar screen of presbytery to the right

San Marco: Interior view of pulpit: altar screen of presbytery to the right

Santa Maria di Loreto: Overall view, principal facade

Santa Maria di Loreto: Overall view, principal facade

Column of Marcus Aurelius: Overall view, of base and column

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Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Brescia: Detail, the elaborately carved portal and central facade

Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Brescia: Detail, the elaborately carved portal and central facade

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