CUTAWAY VIEW AND FLOORPLAN OF THE CATHEDRAL IN PISTOIA , TUSCANY - ITALY,1874 Print,Toscany Architecture Print

Historical Collectible Italian Architecture Art Print

PISTOIA, or PIsT0JA (anc. Pistoriae), a town and episcopal see of Tuscany, Italy, in the province of Florence, from which it is 21 m. NW. by rail. Pop. (1906), 27,127 (town); 68,131 (commune). It is situated on a slight eminence (210 ft.) near the Ombrone, one of the tributaries of the Arno. It is on the site of the Roman Pistoriae, which is hardly mentioned in ancient times, except for the destruction of Catilines forces and the slaughter of their leader near it in 62 B.c., and as a station on the road between Florentia and Luca; and earlier still by Plautus, but only with jesting allusion to the similarity of the name to the word pistor (baker). Hardly any inscriptions of the ancient town have been found; but excavations in 1902 in the Piazzo del Duomo led to the discovery of a large private house, which belonged to the end of the 1st century B.C. Some mosaic pavements were found, belonging perhaps to the 3rd century AD., while the house appears to have fallen into ruin at the beginning of the 5th. Remains of four subsequent periods were discovered above it. It was found that the tradition that the cathedral occupied the site of a temple of Mars was groundless; for the house appears to have extended under it. Ammianus Marcellinus (5th century) mentions Pistoriae as a city of Tuscia Annonaria. During the middle ages Pistoia was at times a dangerous enemy to Florence, and the scene of constant conflicts between the Guelphs and Ghibellines; it was there that the great party struggle took place which resulted in the creation of the Bianchi and Neri factions . In 130206 it was besieged and eventually taken by the armies of Florence and Lucca, and in 1325 it became subject to Castruccio of Lucca. In 1351 it was obliged to surrender to Florence, and thenceforth shared its fate. The city is still surrounded by walls, dating from shortly after the siege of 1302-06; while two inner lines of streets represent two earlier and inner lines of wall. In the early development of architecture and sculpture Pistoia played a very important part; these arts, as they existed in Tuscany before the time of Niccola Pisano, can perhaps be better studied in Pistoia than anywhere else; nor is the city less rich in the later works produced by the school of sculptors founded by Niccola. In the 14th century Pistoia possessed a number of the most skilful artists in silver-work, a wonderful specimen of whose powers exists now in the cathedral-the great silver altar and frontal of St James, originally made for, the high altar, but now placed in a chapel on the south side. The cathedral is partly of the 12th century, with a porch and facade with small arcadesin black and white marble, as is the case with several other churches of Pistoia but was remodelled in the 13th century, and modernized inside in the worst taste; Besides the silver altar it contains many fine works of sculpture; the chief are the monument of Cino da Pistoia, lawyer and poet, Dantes contemporary (1337), by Cellino di Nese, surrounded by his scholars, and Verrocchios finest work in marble, the monument to Cardinal Forteguerra (1474), with a large figure of Christ, surrounded by angels, in high relief. The clay model for it is in the South Kensington Museum. The monument has unfortunately been altered. The octagonal baptistery is by Cellino di Nese (1339). Among the earlier churches the principal is Sant Andrea, enriched with sculpture, and probably designed by Gruamons and his brother Adeodatus lfl 1136; in the nave is Giovanni Pisanos magnificent pulpit, imitated from his fathers pulpit at Pisa.

This exquisite Architecture Print shows a remarkable drawing of Tuscan Renaissance Architecture. This is a rare 1874 reprint from the publication of 1815. This print is over 130 years old.

PUBLISHER- DUCHER & Cie

EDITORS - GRANDJEAN DE MONTIGNY, A. AND A. FAMIN, - Both artists studied a Beaux-Arts curriculum under Charles Percier and Pierre Leonard Fontaine. Grandjean de Montigney won the Prix de Rome in 1799, and Famin in 1801. Later Grandjean de Montigny taught at the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro. These publications showcases their background in Italianate architecture, with interior and exterior views and measured drawings.The works include Palaces, Exquisite Homes & Mansions, Churches and other Public and Private Buildings mainly from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.

Approximate Overall Size: 17 X 11 1/4 inches

CONDITION: FOLIO ENGRAVING. Blank on the back. Excellent condition. Heavier paper.Suitable ageing. The image is clean, clear and sharp with beautiful depth and detail.This beautiful rare item would look great matted and framed. An art supply store can provide you with a selection of frames for old art treasures.