In the XVIII century outlines of the “restoration” in its modern meaning started taking shape; regarding this process, lexicography describes the transformation of the thought about antiquity and the consequential approach used to guide the work on existing artefacts and structures. New definitions show a close connection between object and practice that have been carried out: values recognized in the antiques guide the manner to work on each artefact. Regarding the relationship with antiquity, and above all archaeology, Italy and especially Rome constitute a centre of reference. Here, the connection with the ancient world is closer and, consequently, the need to find theoretical principles to direct the practice has become more urgent. In this spirit, architects are called upon to express their opinions, prepare appraisals, direct works on artworks and architectures. A major figure of the XVIII century was Luigi Vanvitelli, who worked for Popes and Kings. He was frequently required to compile expert reports on artwork related to antiquities market, to prepare estimates of copies of ancient statues, to express his opinion on archaeological survey; he planned and guided about seventy works on existing buildings, among which S. Peter Cathedral and the Chartreuse in the Diocletian Bath in Rome.In Luigi Vanvitelli's works it is possible to clarify the meaning of the word 'restoration' through the comparison between the work carried out and the words used to describe them in themanuscripts written by Vanvitelli himself, approximately 2.000 documents such as letters, appraisals and notes.The term «restaurare» [to restore] is consistently associated to «assicurare», «risarcire», «rimediare», «accomodare», «manierare» [assure, compensate, remedy, repair, give a manner], and it is essentially used to identify consolidation works on structures or necessary formal modifications based on existing elements; conversely the word «rinnovare» [to renew] is associated with the terms “fare di novo”, “edificare” and “fabbricare” [do in a new way, build and fabricate], and describes operations aimed at bringing a new formal definition, scarcely based on existing elements. The couple restaurazione-rinnovazione [restoration-renewal] is mentioned several times, highlighting the conceptual antinomy that defines two different ways to base the project on. The examination of Vanvitelli’s work clearly reveals that the concept of ‘restoration’is understood as a consciously defined modality, clearly distinct from the act of creation. In line with the most advanced knowledge of his time, Vanvitelli used the consideration of the unique characteristics of ancient architecture to investigate how to work on the artefact in which historical values are recognized: this constant testing of solutions, developed through the architectural practice, contributed to generate the criteria that the contemporary theorists attempted to clarify.

The Restoration of Architecture and Works of Art in the Eighteenth century. The Vocabulary, Theory, and Achievement of Luigi Vanvitelli / Tetti, Barbara. - (2016), pp. 1-120.

The Restoration of Architecture and Works of Art in the Eighteenth century. The Vocabulary, Theory, and Achievement of Luigi Vanvitelli

TETTI, BARBARA
2016

Abstract

In the XVIII century outlines of the “restoration” in its modern meaning started taking shape; regarding this process, lexicography describes the transformation of the thought about antiquity and the consequential approach used to guide the work on existing artefacts and structures. New definitions show a close connection between object and practice that have been carried out: values recognized in the antiques guide the manner to work on each artefact. Regarding the relationship with antiquity, and above all archaeology, Italy and especially Rome constitute a centre of reference. Here, the connection with the ancient world is closer and, consequently, the need to find theoretical principles to direct the practice has become more urgent. In this spirit, architects are called upon to express their opinions, prepare appraisals, direct works on artworks and architectures. A major figure of the XVIII century was Luigi Vanvitelli, who worked for Popes and Kings. He was frequently required to compile expert reports on artwork related to antiquities market, to prepare estimates of copies of ancient statues, to express his opinion on archaeological survey; he planned and guided about seventy works on existing buildings, among which S. Peter Cathedral and the Chartreuse in the Diocletian Bath in Rome.In Luigi Vanvitelli's works it is possible to clarify the meaning of the word 'restoration' through the comparison between the work carried out and the words used to describe them in themanuscripts written by Vanvitelli himself, approximately 2.000 documents such as letters, appraisals and notes.The term «restaurare» [to restore] is consistently associated to «assicurare», «risarcire», «rimediare», «accomodare», «manierare» [assure, compensate, remedy, repair, give a manner], and it is essentially used to identify consolidation works on structures or necessary formal modifications based on existing elements; conversely the word «rinnovare» [to renew] is associated with the terms “fare di novo”, “edificare” and “fabbricare” [do in a new way, build and fabricate], and describes operations aimed at bringing a new formal definition, scarcely based on existing elements. The couple restaurazione-rinnovazione [restoration-renewal] is mentioned several times, highlighting the conceptual antinomy that defines two different ways to base the project on. The examination of Vanvitelli’s work clearly reveals that the concept of ‘restoration’is understood as a consciously defined modality, clearly distinct from the act of creation. In line with the most advanced knowledge of his time, Vanvitelli used the consideration of the unique characteristics of ancient architecture to investigate how to work on the artefact in which historical values are recognized: this constant testing of solutions, developed through the architectural practice, contributed to generate the criteria that the contemporary theorists attempted to clarify.
2016
978-1-4955-0504-1
Restoration; XVIII century; Luigi Vanvitelli
03 Monografia::03a Saggio, Trattato Scientifico
The Restoration of Architecture and Works of Art in the Eighteenth century. The Vocabulary, Theory, and Achievement of Luigi Vanvitelli / Tetti, Barbara. - (2016), pp. 1-120.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1556455
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