S. Francesco (Tempio Malatestiano) (1446-1460s) by Leon Battista Alberti @Rimini (jan 16, 1446 – jan 9, 1460)

Description:

S. Francesco was an existing Gothic church rebuilt by Sigismondo Malatesta as a mausoleum for himself and his mistress, and members of his court.

Alberti did not personally supervise the construction of the building, but sent drawings and written instructions.

He adds a facade and oversees much of the interior.

The facade is the earliest example of a classically-inspired church facade in the Renaissance.

The lower part is modelled on a Roman triumphal arch.

Some elements are taken from the Arch of Constantine in Rome, and others from the Arch of Augustus in Rimini.

The upper part of the facade is essentially still Gothic in character - the arched aedicula intended to crown the facade is a feature of Venetian medieval architecture.

The side arcades contain tombs.

The Gothic tracery of the original windows is visible through the openings.

The church was left incomplete when Sigismondo Malatesta died in 1466.

A surviving letter and a metal made by Matteo de' Pasti show that Alberti originally designed a dome and walls running around the building to screen the roof.

The dome would have been hemispherical, like the dome of the Pantheon, but carried on ribs like Brunelleschi's.

The use of coloured marble is Gothic/ Medieval.

It is the first western church to have a Greek inscription.

The arcade is carried on piers = colosseum carried on piers = influence.

Alberti knew that Romans used piers.

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