INTERPRETATIONS Francesco Fiumalbi
The facade of the Cathedral of San Miniato has always suggested specific inputs. Its size, its charm. In all this the presence of so-called "basins" ceramic plays a very prominent role.
These are artifacts produced by baking clay with various additives, such as feldspar, alumina, iron oxide, silica, (1) the typical form a receptacle for liquids and to take this characteristic as "reservoirs" (2). In support, the color "leather" is not uniform, the conditions do not constant in the oven and covered with a layer of glaze in different colors (3). We can see several pigments, such as white, brown, blue and green, the result of the use of minerals such as cobalt and manganese. The topcoat does not have a high quality, as laid out in a partial or irregular (4).
Facade of the Cathedral of San Miniato
Photo by Francesco
Fiumalbi
These elements form the support for eye-catching figures: in the river "higher" animals are housed, architectural details, decorative motifs of various shapes and have a larger than "lower" which, however, contain racks filled with oval shapes, vaguely reminiscent of certain types of shells. Originally they were in number 32, today only 28 remain.
According to studies by Berti and Tongiorgi (5), during restoration work took place between 1979 and 1980, these artifacts could be ceramic manufacturing Maghreb, although there can be some different backgrounds. That conclusion is reached through the analysis of raw materials, the invoice of the work and the study of representations. Probably, these elements were transported by ships of Pisa, in order to increase their carrying capacity, and therefore the earnings, the space between the jars filled with such pottery.
The layout of the ponds on the religious buildings is a very ancient practice and, in some ways, still unclear. This decorative use, at least in the central part of Tuscany, is characterized by two phases. In a Initially, there was a placement of reservoirs in close relationship with the architectural elements present in the facade, for example within the hanging arches crowning, as in the churches of San Zeno, San Piero a Grado, San Martino in Pisa. Subsequently, water assume a different connotation in the orchestration of the façade: the oldest forgiveness schemes, becoming a very independent, as in the church of Santo Stefano extra Moenia (Pisa), the Pieve di San Giovanni Evangelista in Monterappoli, in the Parish of Santi Ippolito e Biagio Castelfiorentino in the church of San Pietro a Marcignana and, indeed, in the Cathedral of San Miniato (6). For the first has been named a date between 1000 and the first half of the eleventh century, while the second between the second half of the eleventh century and the middle of the '200.
To see the buildings to which reference is made, click on the link below:
Church of San Pietro, Marcignana, Empoli
Pictures Francesco Fiumalbi
The example set by the facade of the Cathedral of San Miniato, among those listed, is perhaps one of the latest, in which the basins are to establish a precise plan. As noted Berti and Tongiorgi, San Miniato ceramic elements have been incorporated during the construction of front (7). This particular, already suggested by the Christian-Texts (8), it became evident in 1979 when the basins were removed from their position in order to undergo restoration operations.
We've seen what these basins are, how they are made, such as architectural models inspired the facade of the Cathedral of San Miniato. We came to the fateful question: what is the meaning of these ceramic elements?
It is absolutely not easy to answer. First, it should be noted that there are two very different interpretations: one binds to the Christian symbolism ceramic basins, while the other is restricted to a purely aesthetic and decorative. We will analyze both and try to draw a conclusion.
1. THEOLOGICAL SYMBOLS:
"The white and green star at the top of the pediment stands for the North Star, a reference and guide to mariners, the faithful, and the basins of the two areas are grouped according to the constellations, wagons of the Bears, so if the facade, beaten by the sun, would reverberate for the crystalline river, the splendors of the heavens. The Church on earth, as the eternal Kingdom, the North Star and the Bears, placed transfiguring similarity and concept .
Canon Lorenzo Cavina, 1969 (9).
2. BEAUTY DECORATION:
"The water divided architectural lines of divergent views and new convergent with the axis of the façade (...) according to a seemingly total freedom inventive composition in which instead of opening the playful fancy multi-directional chromaticism and do not go beyond ever more refined and monitored by a rigorous formal intent. (...) It therefore satisfies the dual purpose of putting the sloping side of the arches as a necessary step understanding of this highly original architectural design, and provide an additional set of convergence towards the gable top. "
Maria Laura Christian Books, 1967 (10).
ceramic basins of the facade of the Duomo, detail
Photo by Francesco Fiumalbi
These are two interpretations concerning the provision of ceramic bowls on the facade of the Cathedral of San Miniato. As you can see, the two theses were developed in the mid-60s of 900. Who wrote the Cathedral, in later years, as he behaved?
Dilva Lotti in 1981 states that the Canon Cavini hypothesis is correct, arguing that the patterns of Christian texts are far too fanciful and devoid of formal coherence with the actual equipment walls (11).
Berti and Tongiorgi, again in 1981, say the exact opposite: the assumption of Christian texts it is plausible, his analysis by defining the "brilliant" (12).
In 2004, Onnis the treatment of ceramic basins based on what had previously stated the Christian texts, calling his work "important" (13).
To date, the website of the City of San Miniato, it is stated that the catchment can even be found on the facade of the Tower of Matilde, then reset the hypothesis Cavini on Ursa Minor Ursa Major.
same interpretation also appear on other websites:
In these others, however, is silent on the topic carefully:
But how things really are? What is the meaning attributed to the ceramic basins of the facade of the Cathedral of San Miniato? Theology or aesthetic formalism?
start with the arguments put forward by Christian Texts. The student of Ragghianti, proposes a compositional scheme the facade, inside of which should be to integrate the ceramic basins.
The facade of the Cathedral of San Miniato
composition according to the scheme proposed by the Christian Texts
Reconstruction by Francis Fiumalbi
should be noted that in 1967, at the time of this writing, the Christian texts will not have the resources to advanced straightening pictures that we have today. So, a little 'for imprecision and a bit' to support his thesis, says that the ceramic bowls are arranged according to very precise axes converging at the top, and divergent in the lower. As is evident from our image, that does not happen, at least not in terms put forward by Christian Texts. Even the grid suggests that, while holding the upper nodes, it coincides exactly with the base. It is evident, forcing a graphic.
Detail of the compositional scheme proposed by the Christian Texts for the facade of the Cathedral of San Miniato
As we can see in particular proposed, none of the basins fits perfectly within the grid. There is not even the refined geometry alluded to the Christian texts, except in a completely partial, only pits in the "inferior".
In the 60s of last century, was very common finding distribution grids, for both new development projects, both for the study of the oldest monuments. This is mostly unnecessary and misleading graphic constraints. With the emergence of a technologically advanced photographic control methods, many of the cases based on alleged scheme came to fall. In a sense, is not entirely out of place the statement on the poor reliability of the scheme, proposed by Dilva Lots (14). Also because such a composition scheme does not take into account the least of what happens to the crown, ie in that part of the facade near the roof, both centrally and laterally, and it is unthinkable that, assuming the geometric rigor of the unknown designer, these parts are not consistently orchestrated with the rest of the facade.
We will now assess the claim "theological" made by Canon Lorenzo Cavina, whereby, in the basins of "superior" should be to arrange the drawing forming a part of Ursa Major and the Minor on the other.
Schematic representation of the thesis of Canon Lorenzo Cavini
Polaris, NASA , ESA , N. Evans (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA), and H. Bond ( STScI), Hubble, 2006
Image in the public domain, in accordance with the license NASA
As we see, comparing the scheme proposed by Cavini with the actual shape celestial called "Polaris" or the system of the Polar Star, the two models are not even distant relatives. We skip the discussion on the rotation of the star system, as those who would design the layout of the ceramic basins may have adopted a different frame of reference. However, the discrepancies are manifold. The ceramic bowls are 8 on each side, plus the Polar Star, for A total of 17. The two Bears, the lowest and highest, have only seven, including the North Star: 14 in all.
Assuming that Ursa Minor is to the left and right Maggiore, one of the ways to recognize the North Star is to extend the line identified by two specific elements of the Chariot Maggiore, which are called for this "Pointers" (15). As is evident in the diagram on the facade of the Duomo, prolonging the axis of the two pointers, one arrives at a point without any meaning. The same condition is also considering the two systems roles reversed.
Some might advance the critical this occurs at the bottom stating that the composition of the ceramic bowls is a symbolic representation, and that certainly did not claim to have some scientific precision. But no. If the anonymous designer of the distribution pattern of the ceramics had made a theological argument for such a high level, according to you, then it has fallen into a poor performance, inconsistent and completely rough? Not to mention that the representations in the river denote images that have nothing to do with astronomy or theology. Furthermore, this thesis does not propose any explanation for the provision of river "inferior." So how is it that the upper mean something so elegant and complex, while the lower ones do not have any?
E 'was assumed by Christian texts, with good reason, that the construction of this facade is to be attributed to workers Frederick (16). And how is it that Frederick II, so attentive to astronomy (17) (18), was then left to work so clumsily orchestrated?
This too does not hold water.
ceramic basins of the facade of the Duomo, detail
Photo by Francesco Fiumalbi
The two interpretations are fascinating, but not equally correct. In light of these considerations have, in fact, questioned more than 40 years of research, which really is the meaning of the ceramic bowls?
Probably none. Or rather, do not have a specific theological meaning, nor so strongly in composition. The riddle is probably easier than you think.
basins are likely to "mitigate" what would otherwise be perceived as imposing a curtain wall. Too powerful for a church. This would involve the works of "relief" formal and enriched material. Can not be explained otherwise. Both the docks that would be marble elements, according to this hypothesis, set to give elegance, enthusiasm and harmony. It is no coincidence that the bright color contrasts with the bright red brick, that the provision is, in fact, free from constraints geometric distribution of the facade. Mere decoration.
is a different story about the marble all'intarsio Canon Lorenzo Cavini recognized as the North Star. Probably indicates another celestial body: the Sun It is no coincidence that the North Star is more common in the symbolism represented by eight points (19) while this element has no "points" but rather "rays". And it's not 8 but 14.
The composition of marble that would indicate the "Polar Star" in the view of the Canon Lorenzo Cavini. Perhaps it is a symbol linked to the Sun
Photos of Francis Fiumalbi
biblical references to the symbol of the sun linked to God or Jesus they there are dozens. Below are two of the most significant.
"L to my righteousness will rise like the sun and its rays bring healing ... the day when I show my power, you crush the wicked ... "
Book of Malachi, 3, 20-21
" G hank the tender mercy of our God, who visits from a rising sun for those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our steps along the path of peace "
Luke 1: 78-79
The "sun" and the "cross through"
Photo by Francesco Fiumalbi
The words of the Gospel of Luke " a rising sun "are very significant. As you can see from the photo, above inlay which is listed as the Sun is a cross "through", that is a real hole in the wall. Considering that the orientation of the church is placed almost along the east-west axis is easy to see how the Sun's light passes directly through the hole in the moments following the dawn. Sunlight filtering through the cross. Unfortunately, during the day the facade, following the motion of the Earth, turns and has a different location relative to the Sun, destroying the symbol that is created instead dawn. And here is positioned just below Just a Sun indicating that sun, as we have seen, the Passion and Resurrection, and the life of Jesus, the true sun never sets.
"Again Jesus spoke to them and said:" I am the light of the world whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. " John 8:12
It is no coincidence either that the holiday is devoted to religious ceremonies on Sunday, the day originally dedicated to the Sun's own culture that remains in the Anglo-Saxon tradition of Sunday, the day of the Sun In the Christian tradition but Easter Sunday is a weekly fact Jesus was resurrected on the day of the week.
The date of the birth of Jesus, the feast in which Christians celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation was, in pagan times, the feast of Sol Invictus, the invincible sun, with clear reference to the winter solstice. In fact, after that date the Sun, although a few minutes and took over the field over the darkness. In the fourth century, had not yet set a precise date for the feast of Christmas, the Emperor Constantine officially this symbolic date, reinforcing the image of Christ as the true Sun, that brings true life.
As explained in many other articles too work can not be defined exactly, nor complete. There may be approximations, errors of assessment, as only those who attempt to respond to the continuous questions can commit. I therefore urge anyone who has something to say to come forward. The beauty of this blog is that you can also criticize the writer. I wish every one of you would put the same questions that are proposed here. Interpret the environment around us is never easy and the possibility of a peaceful debate can only grow each of us.
If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange them, then you and I always have an apple one. But if you have an idea, and I I have an idea and we exchange them, then we both have two ideas.
(It was initially supposed to link up with the symbol of the sun with 14 rays with the number of traditional stations of the Cross , where the 15-th, the central circle, would sit and indicate the Resurrection. Passion and Resurrection of Christ, who became a real man to save the world. This argument is erroneous because the rite of the Via Crucis began at the end of '200 and spread in Europe only since 1342. This dating contrasts with the completion of the inlay (20))
References:
(1) http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceramica
(2) http://dizionari.corriere.it/dizionario_italiano/B/bacino.shtml
(3) Berti, Tongiorgi, ceramic basins of the Cathedral of San Miniato , Sagep Publishing , Genova, 1981, p.. 13
(4) Ibid, p.. 15.
(5) Ibid, p.. 16.
(6) Ibid, p.. 14.
(7) Ibid, p.. 16.
(8)-Christian Texts Maria Laura, San Miniato al German, and Bertolli brands, Florence, 1967, p.. 43.
(9) Lots Dilva, Time in San Miniato, Pacini Editore, Pisa, 1981, pp. 84-85.
(10) Christian Texts Maria-Laura, Op Cit. , p.. 44-45.
(11) Lots Dilva, Op Cit. , pp. 84.
(12) Berti, Tongiorgi, Op Cit. page. 7.
(13) Onnis Francis Biography of an architecture, in AAVV The Cathedral of San Miniato, Pisa, 2004, p.
(14) Lots Dilva, Op Cit. , p.. 84.
(16) Christian Texts Maria-Laura, Op Cit. , p.. 41 (20) # http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Via_Crucis Stazioni_tradizionali