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The exegesis of V itruvius and the creation of theatrical spaces in R enaissance F errara
Author(s) -
TorelloHill Giulia
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
renaissance studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.117
H-Index - 16
eISSN - 1477-4658
pISSN - 0269-1213
DOI - 10.1111/rest.12068
Subject(s) - exegesis , comedy , vernacular , iconography , humanism , modernization theory , art , interpretation (philosophy) , banquet , the renaissance , literature , art history , philosophy , theology , law , linguistics , political science
Under the rule of E rcole I d'Este (1471–1505), F errara experienced an unprecedented revival of classical R oman comedy. For the first time, the plays of P lautus and T erence began to be staged in vernacular It alian. This essay focuses on the temporary theatre buildings that hosted these productions and discusses the instrumental role played by the short treatise S pectacula , written by E rcole's courtier, P ellegrino P risciani ( c . 1435–1510). It argues that the planning of theatre spaces was informed by the humanist interpretation of V itruvian principles. Furthermore, it evaluates the weight of contemporary iconography and the illustrative tradition of T erence, which was disseminated through the first printed editions, on the planning of theatre spaces. The modernization of set design and the creation of theatre spaces that reinterpreted V itruvian principles along with the adaptation of classical dramatic texts represents the first modern example of reception of ancient comedy.