Arte, scienza e tecnica conciliabili a Bologna nel secolo XVII

Born in Spilamberto (now district of Modena) around 1613, died in Bologna in 1685, Giulio Troili, known as The Paradosso, was an architect and a painter specialized in prospective and in theatrical architecture. The painted architecture which illusionary dilates and opens up ceilings and walls, working in the most prestigious Emilian courts. Troili frescoed quadrature in Bologna, in the churches of S. Giuseppe delle Zitelle, S. Marta, S. Bernardino, S.M. dei Foscherari, and in S. Sigismondo in Cremona. He was also active in the field of theatre, working to create the Teatro della Porchetta in Bologna, for the traditional celebrations at 24 August, and temporary structures for the court of Parma under Ranuccio II Farnese. He published in Bologna Paradossi per pratticare la prospettiva senza saperla (1672), where he developed the prospective approach in dialogue with geometrical and optic studies. As the master of Ferdinando and Francesco Galli Bibiena, he particularly influenced their elaboration of the angle view, the multi focus prospective, using crossing directives. The main cultural attraction of Bologna has always been the Jesuit college. In times of crisis for the University, the college of S. Lucia and of S. Ignazio have been more significant in terms of attracting foreigners to Bologna. This work examines the cultural osmosis created by the Jesuits, not only through teaching, but also by translation of books and scientific research. It is worth mentioning the international fame of Mario Bettini, Giovanni Battista Riccioli and Francesco Maria Grimaldi for his theory of light diffraction. There also references to the relationships with painters of quadratura, architects and engravers. Giuseppe Barbieri, Jesuit in Bologna and painter of quadratura, worked in Castiglione delle Stiviere and in Bologna before the work with Andrea Pozzo in Mondovì.