Palazzo Fantuzzi
Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
1517–1680; 1678–1684 (frescos and ballroom decorations)
Architects: Bartolomeo Triachini, Farina, Pietro Canali; sculptor: Gabriele Brunelli; decoration: Francesco Galli Bibiena
Palatial architecture
Fantuzzi family
Built in 1517, in place of the previous medieval houses. This was the residence of the Fantuzzi family, whose members were part of the Bolognese Senate.
The palace façade, possibly based on a project by Formigine and Bartolomeo Triachini, has not a portico, a frequent feature of Bolognese palatial architecture.
The building was finished in 1680 when Carlo Ridolfo Fantuzzi was elected Gonfalonier. To celebrate himself, he decided to inaugurate a new staircase inside the building based on a project by Pietro Canali. This staircase was to lead the guests to the ballroom on the noble floor.
The impressive façade goes back to the Tosco-Roman tradition of sixteenth-century's buildings. It is decorated with elephants, alluding to the Fantuzzis' coat of arms.
Inside, the celebrated staircase by Pietro Canali is sober, decorated with statues of Hercules and Atlas.
On the second floor it is possible to visit the great hall, with frescoes painted by Francesco Galli Bibiena between 1678 and 1684. The artist abandoned the traditional frontal view and started a new way of painting architectural buildings by employing a corner perspective.
On the wall there is a false double asymmetrical open gallery with gods and other mythological figures. Francesco was a very good figure painter, probably more skillful than his elder brother Ferdinando. Colonnades and wings increase the illusion, fooling the observer and appearing to enlarge the room.
Opposite the windows a painted green garden opens the view onto theatrical suggestions.
Thanks to its façade without arcades, unusual in Bologna, it’s easy to recognise Palazzo Fantuzzi in via S. Vitale. Inside the palace, besides the ballroom illusionistically painted by Francesco Galli Bibiena (1659-1739) in a second time, Carlo Ridolfo Fantuzzi ordered Pietro Canali (1618-1680) to build a monumental staircase, one of the first late-baroque examples in Bologna.
Historical documents.
Palazzo Fantuzzi
1680
Pietro Canali; Gabriele Brunelli; Gioacchino Pizzoli
For this double flight staircase Pietro Canali was inspired by theatrical stage effects. Allegorical statues of Hercules and Atlas by Gabriele Brunelli (1615–1682) decorate the staircase. The vault was painted by Gioacchino Pizzoli (1651–1731).
Ballroom, Palazzo Fantuzzi
1684
Francesco Galli Bibiena
Although these are reminiscent of antique statues, the gods fit perfectly in the illusionistic architecture, painted by the artist to create artificial effects in order to amaze the visitors.
Ballroom, Palazzo Fantuzzi
1684
Francesco Galli Bibiena
Although these are reminiscent of antique statues, the gods fit perfectly in the illusionistic architecture, painted by the artist to create artificial effects in order to amaze the visitors.
Cuppini, G., Palazzi senatorii a Bologna. Architettura come immagine del potere, Bologna, 1974.
Clerici Bagozzi, N., “Da Giovanni Maria 'il vecchio' a Francesco Bibiena: la pittura di figura delle prime generazioni”, I Bibiena, una famiglia europea (exhibition catalogue), Bologna, 2000.
Adani, G., Ravenna, M., Le grandi dimore storiche in Emilia-Romagna. Palazzi privati urbani, Milano, 1986.
“Il Seicento”, Storia dell'architettura italiana (ed. A. Scotti Tosini), Milan, 2003.
Copyright images: Archivio fotografico della Soprintendenza per il Patrimonio storico artistico di Bologna, su concessione del Ministero per i Beni culturali.
Claudia Solacini "Palazzo Fantuzzi" in "Discover Baroque Art", Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://baroqueart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;BAR;it;Mon12;16;en
Prepared by: Claudia SolaciniClaudia Solacini
SURNAME: Solacini
NAME: Claudia
AFFILIATION University of Bologna
TITLE Art Historian
CV
Graduated in conservation of cultural heritage at the University of Bologna, master in conservation of orifices at Ca’ Foscari University, Venice; presently studing for a Research Doctorate at the University of Bologna and also teaches as a fellow professor. She is a specialist in eighteenth century art, especially portrait painting.
Translation by: Claudia SolaciniClaudia Solacini
SURNAME: Solacini
NAME: Claudia
AFFILIATION University of Bologna
TITLE Art Historian
CV
Graduated in conservation of cultural heritage at the University of Bologna, master in conservation of orifices at Ca’ Foscari University, Venice; presently studing for a Research Doctorate at the University of Bologna and also teaches as a fellow professor. She is a specialist in eighteenth century art, especially portrait painting.
Translation copyedited by: Lisa Kelman
MWNF Working Number: IT2 20
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