Archive for the 'Drawing' Category
Mar102009
Return of the Italian
It’s like Return of the Jedi, but better.
I am going back to Rome this week for a ten day visit over my academic spring break to focus on an intensive sketching of 14 buildings. Each of the 14 students in my class has been researching a building in Rome, and we will present on site to the rest of the class, and then everyone will have a chance to draw our building.
The building I chose is Castel Sant’Angelo, which was previously the burial monument to the Roman emperor Hadrian. It was converted into a military fortress, a residence for Roman families, then taken over as a Papal residence/retreat during times of war.
Thematic routes >> The Mausoleum of Hadrian
The remains of the original mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian are clearly seen in the scores below the building, which retain much of the old arrangement. The ancient Roman walls are perfectly visible to the outside along the ' ambulatory Boniface IX - where are placed the remains of some of the colossal statues which were to adorn the tomb.From the first level, going down the few steps of modern metal staircase, you enter to ' Roman atrium , which now houses some models reconstructing the building and that originally, in the niche skiing, welcomed a colossal statue of the emperor.
Large blocks of travertine that cover the walls clearly show the holes in the clamps that anchored the marble covering the Roman period.
A passage on the right side of the room leads into the large spiral ramp that makes a full turn in the cylinder, leading to the upper level to the Hall of Urns , the heart of the ancient tomb, which occupies exactly the center of the building Hadrian.
The Mausoleum of Hadrian, drawing by Ludovico Bisi,
from "Short visit to Castel Sant'Angelo,"
the Ministry of Heritage and Culture,
the Superintendence for the State Museums of Rome.
Rome, Mondadori Electa 2004.
Most excellent maps and cross views.Neat to see the Grain silos and oil storage.
