Talk:Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Removal of Temple of Artemis pic

This caption under this pic was entirely in error. Martin van Heemskerck was not representing an old-fashioned church of the "previous generation" like Santa Maria Novella.

Apart from its general outline, which is common to most Nave and aisle churches, including St Peters Basilica which Heemskerk drew under construction in the 1530s, it bears no resemblance to Santa Maria Novella, except in the possession of scrolls, invented by Alberti to bridge the gap between nave and aisles and subsequently used on many Baroque buildings, post Heemskerck.

At Santa Maria Novella, Alberti respected the gothic fabric with which he was working. He tailored his design to an old tradition. Santa Maria Novella does not resemble other churches by Alberti or other Florentine Churches, except San Miniato al Monte, to which he has nodded in respect.

Moreover, contrary to the caption, the churches of Florence that were built in the 15th century didn't get their facades, so Heemskerck's drawing cannot possible resemble them, except in so much as he may have be familiar with the drafts.

What the artist has done, as is typical of the date, is draw "one of the seven wonders" in the very latest style, as far as he can conceive it. It has far more to do with Santa Susanna in Rome, not completed till 70 years later, and the prototype for many such churches, than with Santa Maria Novella's comprimisingly antiquated style.

It has simiarities to Cordussi's San Zaccaria in Venice.

The picture really doesn't belong here.

--Amandajm 03:31, 22 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Pharmacy

It probably needs a separate article, but I'll place it here for information...

The pharmacy is part of the Basilica and is one of the oldest still-operating pharmacies in the world. The Italian wiki has a good article all about it and we should have something too. When someone translates it or gets around to researching it, that is! A good starting point might be here. violet/riga (t) 12:10, 25 July 2007 (UTC)