The Siege of Florence Between Chorography and Scenography

Abstract

The “Siege of Florence”, painted by Vasari to celebrate the event that restored Medicean power in Florence and made Cosimo’s lordship possible, shows a perspective image of Florence depicted in a vast landscape, from the eastern hills to the western Arno valley. The painting shows the marvelous natural basin in which Florence is situated, and its treasured buildings, castles and convents scattered over the hills occupied by the enemy. In his Ragionamenti, Vasari describes the steps he took to achieve his perspective: (1) a map of the surroundings of Florence, (2) the observation from the highest southern viewpoint. Perspective technique involves first drawing the plan and the profile and then intersecting the projecting rays. This would have enabled him to place “20 miles of territory” (about 35 km) in “a space of 6 arms” (3 m). Are these explanations enough? Is the image adequate? How accurate it is when compared with the actual geometric reality of the places? How realistic is the image of the River Arno? The answer to these questions requires a more detailed investigation of the actual geometric strategies implemented by the artist.