L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023 L'Italo-Americano H ave you ever gazed upon a p i e c e o f a r t o r a g r a n d architectural feat, found yourself lost in its beauty, yet unsure of what m a k e s i t s o c a p t i v a t i n g ? Could it be the meticulous details, the profound history, or something more ethereal? You know, perhaps, it's all down to numbers. Yes, num- b e r s o r , t o b e e x a c t , t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f a n a n c i e n t m a t h e m a t i c a l p r i n c i p l e , o f t e n r e f e r r e d t o a s t h e Golden Ratio. The Golden Ratio, or Phi (approximately 1.618), a concept known to the ancient Greeks, finds its presence in numerous facets of life: it is the ratio that splits a line into two parts s u c h t h a t t h e l o n g e r p a r t divided by the smaller part is equal to the entire length divided by the longer part. But, what is its relevance in art and architecture? In the realm of aesthetics, this ratio is believed to mani- fest the most pleasing, har- monious proportions. The secret to the allure of the Parthenon, the Pyramids of G i z a , o r D a V i n c i ' s M o n a L i s a m i g h t j u s t b e t h i s u n d e r l y i n g m a t h e m a t i c a l principle. Recently, a popular Italian w e b s i t e u s e d t h e G r e e k Golden Ratio to determine the beauty of Italy's monu- ments. The analysis involved a calculation of discrepancy based on a formula account- ing for the width and height o f t h e m o n u m e n t s t h e m - selves. The resulting per- c e n t a g e s c o r e , w h i c h w a s obtained by correlating the Golden Ratio with these dis- crepancies, helped deter - mine the most "mathemati- c a l l y " b a l a n c e d a n d , t h e r e f o r e , b e a u t i f u l . T h i s curious exercise offers a dif- f e r e n t w a y t o a p p r e c i a t e Italy's architectural wonders: from the domes of St. Peter's Basilica, gracing the top spot with a 97.9% match to the Golden Ratio, to the tenth spot held by the spires of Milan's Duomo, it is a math- ematical revelation of Italy's timeless beauty. Among the other evaluat- ed structures, the Basilica d i S a n M a r c o in Venice secured the fourth position, with an impressive corre- spondence of 90.5% to the Golden Ratio. When standing in front of the Basilica the echoes of h i s t o r y a n d a r t c o m e s together in harmony. Locat- ed beside the Doge's Palace, another must-visit attrac- tion, the Basilica is a symbol o f V e n i c e h e r s e l f . I t w a s originally built in the 9th century to house the relics of St. Mark, the city's patron saint, which were allegedly stolen from Alexandria by Venetian merchants. The Basilica as we see it today, however, was constructed in the 11th century, following a fire that destroyed the origi- nal building at the end of the 10th. Its design reflects a unique blend of East and West, symbolizing Venice's role as a bridge between the t w o w o r l d s , s o m e t h i n g c l e a r l y e m b o d i e d b y t h e building's Byzantine style, seen in the use of domes and the extensive gold mosaics. S a n M a r c o ' s i n t r i c a t e f a ç a d e m i r r o r s t h e c i t y ' s m a r i t i m e p a s t , w i t h t h e Tetrarchs statue signifying Venice's connection to the Byzantine Empire, while the exquisite golden mosaics of i t s i n t e r i o r , w h i c h d e p i c t biblical scenes, invite us into a n a r r a t i v e d a t i n g b a c k nearly a millennium. Back outside, you can't miss the iconic bronze hors- es that overlook the square from the Basilica's terrace: did you know these ancient steeds have a fascinating journey themselves? Looted during the Fourth Crusade f r o m t h e H i p p o d r o m e o f Constantinople, they are a reminder of Venice's tumul- tuous past. Today, replicas stand in their original place w h i l e t h e o r i g i n a l s a r e h o u s e d i n s i d e t o p r o t e c t them from the elements. Yet, there is more to San Marco beyond its structural splendor and captivating history, because the Basilica i s o n e a n d o n l y w i t h t h e very spirit of Venice: the or nate detail s, the gr and d o m e s , t h e b r e a t h t a k i n g mosaics, are all symbols of Venice's own ageless opu- lence. They mirror the city's canals and grand palazzos, as well as the serene rhythm of life that unfolds against such a backdrop. Let us step closer: just inside the Basilica's perime- t e r , t h e a w e - i n s p i r i n g narthex serves as a prologue to the building's grandeur: known as the Golden Land- ing, it offers an early taste of the rich mosaics that await i n s i d e : c r e a t e d f r o m t i n y fragments of colored glass a n d g o l d , t h e y c o v e r a n astounding 8,000 square meters. The Basilica interior mesmerizes and fascinates: t h e c h u r c h ' s f i v e d o m e s , s p l e n d i d l y a d o r n e d w i t h mosaics, seem a mirror to the skies: the largest, over the central nave, is the spec- t a c u l a r A s c e n s i o n D o m e , with a depiction of Christ's ascension into Heaven. It is under these celestial scenes, among marble pillars and golden altars, that one can truly experience the wonder that is the Basilica di San Marco. Of course, we cannot for- g e t t h e P a l a d ' O r o , t h e Basilica's most prized pos- session. This extraordinary a l t a r p i e c e w a s c o m m i s - sioned by Byzantine crafts- men and later enhanced by Venetians; composed of 250 panels of gold, encrusted with over 2000 gems and precious stones, - including emeralds, amethysts, pearls, garnets, and sapphires - its ornate panels portray vari- ous biblical scenes, includ- ing the lives of prophets, of the Apostles and, of course, of Saint Mark himself. The c e n t r a l p a n e l f e a t u r e s a seated Christ flanked by the apostles and Mary. The Pala d'Oro is set on a hinge and can be raised to reveal Saint Mark's relics, underscoring its ceremonial importance i n a d d i t i o n t o i t s a r t i s t i c value. As sunlight floods through the alabaster win- dow panes of the Basilica, t h e P a l a d ' O r o g l i s t e n s , reinforcing San Marco's rep- utation as the "Church of Gold." FRANCESCA BEZZONE Saint Mark's Basilica came fourth in a special list including the Italian monuments with the highest correlation with the Golden Ratio (Photo: Antanovich1985/Dreamstime) Its façade brings together Western and Eastern architectural influences (Photo: Bennymarty/Dreamstime) San Marco's Basilica and its "Golden Ratio" beauty HERITAGE HISTORY IDENTITY TRADITIONS PEOPLE

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