Bologna Palazzo Dal Monte – Gaudenzi
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Palazzo Dal Monte – Gaudenzi Photos
About Palazzo Dal Monte – Gaudenzi
This façade of Palazzo Dal Monte raised up from the street level illustrates a very sophisticated design of Bolgonese renaissance. Completed in 1529 it may be attributed to Andrea da Formigine although some believe the classical appearance could also have been the work of Peruzzi or even Michelangelo.
Just past the atrium which is illuminated by an elegant loggia with Doric columns is this small courtyard decorated with antique garden furniture and pots. They were collected by the Gaudenzi family who used to own this palazzo and whose name is sometimes referred to in an official context.
Next to the courtyard is one of the most interesting features in the building. This stairway, which is not generally used is embellished with elegant plasterwork decorations that in turn stands beneath vaulting with this great octagonal trompe l’oeil fresco depicting the Ratto di Deianira. It was executed by Gaetano Gandolfi in 1785.
The origins of this magnificent building are traced back to the physician Panfilio Dal Monte who bought a number of houses here belonging to the Vitali family in 1517 and therefore commissioned his own palazzo.
Externally, it boasts a plain brick construction with mouldings in sandstone that rests over a five-span portico seen at the beginning of this footage. The classical portico is supported by brick pillars, with slender columns arranged in a trabeation. Although, this is where the original characteristics seem to end since the interior of the palazzo has now completely lost its sixteenth-century essence. Just as seen here in this conference room and the illustrious stairway beforehand it has an ornate decorative appearance acquired since the eighteenth century.
The walls here look to be covered in old fashioned wallpaper. The designs have in fact been cleverly painted on. Pride of place though are the various allegorical pictures on the ceiling which were completed by Serafino Barozzi.
An unfortunate fate to befall the palazzo however can be observed along a cross-section of the whole building. A serious crack has appeared in recent years along the floor and walls due to subsidence. It’s currently being measured though as seen from this tiny device on the wall. If this develops faster than anticipated the obvious outcome for this listed building may not be so rosy.
Other rooms on this piano nobile include this office belonging to the director of the university institute referred to by the letters CIRSFID. This institute which deals with research and philosophy in law has been established since October 1986 as part of the University of Bologna. Lectures are often held here as the building is actually much bigger than it appears.
Stepping back once again: in1550 the palazzo was sold to Vincenzo Fontana. In 1561 it passed to Alberto Angelelli who in 1566 left it to this brother Nicolò, a member of the branch without a seat in the Senate.
It was then acquired by Biagio Monari in 1744 and was eventually extended and embellished on a grand scale. For example, it was extended to the rear, while between 1782 and 1787 his son Stefano commissioned Giovanni Storni to carry out decorative work that eventually changed the internal characteristics. On that occasion Gaetano Gandolfi painted the fresco in the stairway.
Externally, the top cornice was also modified along with the decorative work in the portico. In 1782 the height of the building was increased with the erection of this little tower similar to that of the Specola in Palazzo Poggi.
In 1785 it was extended to the south with a block standing on masonry supports while in 1787 this balcony that skirts the front and side of the building was constructed along with the three-storey loggia in the courtyard.
Monari sold the palazzo in 1810 and it went through various changes of ownership before finally being bought by Augusto Gaudenzi in the late 1800s.
References
Giuseppe Sassatelli, Cristiana Morigi Govi, Jacopo Ortalli, Francesca Bocchi, Atlante Storico Delle Città Italiane Emilia Romagna Bologna, Bologna IV, Bologna 1996, p185.