Sala Della Vigna at Belriguardo. A Polyphony of Proportions That the Renaissance Mind Comprehended and the Renaissance Eye was Able to See

Abstract

This study aims at analysing the architectural and spatial composition of Sala della Vigna at Delizia Estense di Belriguardo, in Voghiera, Ferrara. The main scope of the research consists in describing the “concept” of Sala della Vigna by identifying the main geometric and compositive principles implemented to realise both real and virtual spaces (frescos). The analyses were carried out through visual and photographic surveys, in particular decorations and 3D virtual reconstructions of the “back-stage” settings concerning walls and forced perspectives (trompe-l’oeil). The main goal will be therefore to illustrate and retrace the first phase of the “project” consisting in the division, distribution, hierarchy of geometric and visual spaces, and the rules followed to accomplish the above, if, where and how they were applied. Anyhow, the general impression is to be in front of a spatial layout thought according to an ideal model and with homogeneous parts.