Arts and Art History

Lectures on Trajan’s Column

and its Architect Apollodorus of Damascus

Edited by Cinzia Conti


2022, 796 pp., 500 ill. col., 5 colour Plates, 91 x 94 cm fold-out tav.
Hardback with Dust Jacket, 24 x 31 cm
With Parallel Italian Text, 10 Tables
ISBN: 9788891310057
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  • Abstract
  • Table of Contents
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  • Abstract

    The book is an anthology of essays on the bas-relief sculpture on Trajan's Column, with original observations, collected during the restoration of 1981-1988 by closely examining the decorated frieze, all together, as never before. This work is edited by Cinzia Conti, restorer and archaeologist, who also took part in the direction of the restoration, in the program of the Law 23 March 1981 no. 92 "Urgent measures for the protection of the archaeological heritage of Rome". The work was directed by the Architect Giangiacomo Martines, with the Scientific Direction of the Central Institute of Restoration, led by Giovanni Urbani and represented by Alessandra Melucco Vaccaro. The splendour of the surface and the legibility of the sculptures prove the effectiveness of that restoration tested by time.

    Il libro è un'antologia di saggi sul lavoro di scultura del bassorilievo, con osservazioni originali, raccolte durante il restauro del 1981-1988 esaminando in modo ravvicinato il fregio istoriato, tutto insieme, come mai precedentemente. Curatore dell'opera è Cinzia Conti, restauratore e archeologo, che prese parte anche alla direzione del restauro, nel programma della Legge 23 marzo 1981 no. 92 "Provvedimenti urgenti per la protezione del patrimonio archeologico di Roma". Il lavoro fu diretto dall'Architetto Giangiacomo Martines, con la Direzione scientifica dell'Istituto Centrale del Restauro, condotto da Giovanni Urbani e rappresentato da Alessandra Melucco Vaccaro. Lo splendore della superficie e la leggibilità delle sculture provano l'efficacia di quel restauro collaudato dal tempo.

  • Table of Contents

    Preface by Alfonsina Russo
    Introduction by Filippo Coarelli
    Acknowledgements
    Note to the Reader

    1. A Byzantine Prayer
    Cinzia Conti
    2. The 1981-1988 Restoration
    Cinzia Conti
    3. Notes on Trajan's Column
    Cinzia Conti, and Giangiacomo Martines
    4. "Fantiscritti". The quarries and marble of Trajan's Column
    Matthias Bruno
    5. Columna cochlis Traiani. Order and Structure
    Giangiacomo Martines
    6. The solea of the base of the Column. Traces and evidence of construction work
    Matthias Bruno
    7. Squaring the storied frieze
    Cinzia Conti, and Giangiacomo Martines
    8. Small Circles on the Capital
    Cinzia Conti, and Giangiacomo Martines
    9. The Workmanship
    Cinzia Conti, and Giangiacomo Martines
    10. The Tools
    Daniele De Tomassi
    11. The Epigraph on the Podium: Plan and Letters
    Cinzia Conti
    12. Portraits of Trajan
    Cinzia Conti
    13. Trajan's Smile
    Cinzia Conti
    14. The War Engines before Sarmizegethusa Regia
    Giangiacomo Martines
    15. View from a distance
    Cinzia Conti
    16. Colour Fantasies
    Cinzia Conti, and Giangiacomo Martines
    17. That particular ancient colour
    Cinzia Conti, and Giangiacomo Martines
    18. The 'Maestro delle Gesta di Traiano' and his Stonemasons
    Cinzia Conti
    19. The walled-up Cella inside the Podium
    Michele Campisi
    20. Graffiti on the Staircase
    Michele Campisi
    21. The Technical Portrayal: Devices on the storied frieze
    Cinzia Conti, and Giangiacomo Martines
    22. The feats achieved by Apollodorus for Trajan: The Column and other architectural milestones
    Cinzia Conti, and Giangiacomo Martines
    23. The death of Apollodorus
    Cinzia Conti, and Giangiacomo Martines
    24. A catalogue of the types of architecture and the landscape on the storied frieze
    Cinzia Conti, and Giangiacomo Martines
    25. Lighting the Trajan's Column. Interview with Francesa, and Vittorio Storaro
    26. Photographing Trajan's Column. Interview with Zeno Colantoni
    27. Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli, "Io e ... La Colonna Traiana" 1972

    Afterword
    Feasibility study for a glass structure to protect the Column of Marcus Aurelius, as a workshop for the 1981 restorers.
    Interview with Andrea Bruno
    By Cinzia Conti, Enrica Giaccaglia, and Giangiacomo Martines

    Works cited
    Plates
    I Warriors' pierced fists
    II The Epigraph
    III Trajan's Appearances
    IV The Masons
    V A 'Silent Chart' of the storied Frieze

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    Video: Filmato Rai “ Io e ... Bianchi, Bandinelli e la Colonna Traiana” Video: Filmato Rai “ Io e ... Bianchi, Bandinelli e la Colonna Traiana” Video: Filmato Rai “ Io e ... Bianchi, Bandinelli e la Colonna Traiana”
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