Aleotti versus Fontana. Diffamazione, reputazione e carriere di architetti tra Ferrara e Roma in un processo d'invenzione del 1601
In: Quaderni dell'Istituto di Storia dell'Architettura: 66, 2017
DOI: 10.1400/258359
The article examines an unpublished manuscript by an unknown author, preserved in Ferrara’s historic Archives, which contains the Deeds of an imaginary inquisitorial trial in which Giovan Battista Aleotti is charged with professional incompetence and other fraudulent activities, instigated by the Greek God Momus and to be held in a court in the City of Dis, in the Sixth Circle of Hell. Besides documenting the fierce professional clash that arose in Ferrara after the Devolution of the state under Este rule to the Holy See, the text, dated 1601 and apparently written with the intention of giving it to the «Accademia di Colonia» (Academy of Cologne) to be published, provides an unprecedented view of architectural and hydraulic works carried out in the Duchy of Ferrara during the late Sixteenth century, as well as of the careers of the professionals nominated to manage new post-Este development, which, in addition to Aleotti, include those of Giovanni Fontana, Domenico Fontana and Carlo Maderno. As well as being a rare testimony to understanding the sophisticated critical tools that professionals of the time could use to build their own reputation or attack those of others, the document also offers valuable insights to reopen discussions about the catalogue of works designed by the architects referred to.