The originality of Francesco di Giorgio in the field of engineering is argued by the authors. They discuss the defeat of the French army and the capture of Castel Novo by Neapolitans in November 1495. Their interpretation is based on contemporary accounts (including two unpublished documents) and two reliefs that originally decorated the facade of the Ducal Palace at Urbino. They argue that the relief no. 41 represents the first unsuccesful battle that took place on November 13, 1495, when Neapolitan forces attempted to lay siege to the castle with ladders. The castle was captured on December 8, 1495, and the battle was described by contemporary chronicles as an unforseen victory. Urbino relief no. 20 can elucidete the unexpected success, by connecting it to the first launch of an explosive mine. The authors make a convincing case by pointing out that folios 85r-86v of Francesco's codicetto, contain the development of the idea of a missile weapon which in turn, presents great similarities to the Urbino relief. In addition, the involvement of the Duke of Urbino in the capture of Castel Nuovo could justify the depiction of these battles on the palace reliefs. They celebrate the inventive powers of the architect and the resulting politico-military supremacy of his patron. -in the Introduction by Angeliki Pollali-

The first launching of a mine: Francesco di Giorgio and the capture of Castel Nuovo

MOLARI, LUISA;MOLARI, PIER GABRIELE
2011

Abstract

The originality of Francesco di Giorgio in the field of engineering is argued by the authors. They discuss the defeat of the French army and the capture of Castel Novo by Neapolitans in November 1495. Their interpretation is based on contemporary accounts (including two unpublished documents) and two reliefs that originally decorated the facade of the Ducal Palace at Urbino. They argue that the relief no. 41 represents the first unsuccesful battle that took place on November 13, 1495, when Neapolitan forces attempted to lay siege to the castle with ladders. The castle was captured on December 8, 1495, and the battle was described by contemporary chronicles as an unforseen victory. Urbino relief no. 20 can elucidete the unexpected success, by connecting it to the first launch of an explosive mine. The authors make a convincing case by pointing out that folios 85r-86v of Francesco's codicetto, contain the development of the idea of a missile weapon which in turn, presents great similarities to the Urbino relief. In addition, the involvement of the Duke of Urbino in the capture of Castel Nuovo could justify the depiction of these battles on the palace reliefs. They celebrate the inventive powers of the architect and the resulting politico-military supremacy of his patron. -in the Introduction by Angeliki Pollali-
2011
Reconstructing Francesco di Giorgio Architect
163
184
R. Di Battista; L.Molari; P.G. Molari
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/102313
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