To an approximate scale of 1:30

templi. S. P[ietri]. monte. aureo. (‘Of the temple of San Pietro in Montorio [golden mount]’)

• c.1513/14
  Datable to c.1513/14

Pen and brown ink and grey-brown wash

Bernardo della Volpaia

This portal, bordered by a two-fascia architrave with upper ‘ears’ and capped by a simple cornice supported on volutes, forms the Tempietto’s main entrance, and is also seen in the overall view of Bramante’s building (Fol. 21r/Ashby 33). With its ears, the design is fairly like the window frame of the so-called Temple of Vesta at Tivoli (Fol. 20r/Ashby 32), but the closest ancient parallel for a portal with both ears and cornice volutes is that of the Early Christian church of San Salvatore at Spoleto. The drawing is similar in size to its neighbour, but the viewpoint is different in being central rather than offset to the right. It was positioned next to the one of the ancient portal probably because of the space available for it there.

Other early detailed drawings of the portal include one in Rome from the circle of Raphael and another in Florence from the circle of Jacopo Sansovino, but neither is related to the Coner depiction.

OTHER DRAWINGS MENTIONED: [Anon.] Rome, ICG, Vol. 2510, fol. 80Av (Günther 1988, p. 352 and pl. 78); [Anon.] Florence, GDSU, 1963 Av (Günther 1982, pp. 85-90)

OTHER DRAWINGS IN CODEX CONER OF SAME SUBJECT: Fol. 12v/Ashby 21; Fol. 21r/Ashby 33; Fol. 22r/Ashby 34

Ashby 1904, p. 38
Günther 1973, p. 181

Drawing

Digitisation of the Codex Coner has been made possible through the generosity of the Census of Antique Works of Art and Architecture Known in the Renaissance, Berlin.

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