Alfonso Torreggiani
Encyclopedia
Alfonso Torreggiani was an Italian architect
, principally associated with Bologna
.
. An apprentice of G. A. Torri, he became intensely active in the city of Bologna
working on the design of churches and private buildings and as a consultant on the organisation and reconstruction of existing buildings: for example, the Church of Sant'Ignazio, 1726; the interior of the Church of La Maddalena, 1735; the Palazzo d'Este formerly Torfanini in the Via Galliera, 1735; the west front of the cathedral
, 1744-52; and the Aldrovandi Chapel in the Basilica of San Petronio. He was also responsible for the high altar in the Basilica of San Domenico
. His principal clients, besides the city nobility and the rising bourgeoisie, were the Bolognese Curia and the Society of Jesus
, for whom he built the Novitiate of Sant'Ignazio, now the Pinacoteca Nazionale
, of which the Church of Sant' Ignazio (above) was originally part.
In addition, the Jesuits of Mantua
entrusted to Torreggiani the project of the Palazzo degli Studi (1763). Also in Mantua, from 1756, he planned the new Palazzo Cavriani which was built after the collapse of the earlier residence of the ancient Mantuan Cavriani family.
Among his other works was the Jesuit College in Rimini
, now the City Museum.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, principally associated with Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
.
Life
Torregiano was born in BudrioBudrio
Budrio is a town and comune in the province of Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna, Italy; it is located 15 km E of Bologna.Budrio has two high schools, including a lyceum, a post office, banks, a communal theatre, a swimming pool and several squares...
. An apprentice of G. A. Torri, he became intensely active in the city of Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
working on the design of churches and private buildings and as a consultant on the organisation and reconstruction of existing buildings: for example, the Church of Sant'Ignazio, 1726; the interior of the Church of La Maddalena, 1735; the Palazzo d'Este formerly Torfanini in the Via Galliera, 1735; the west front of the cathedral
Bologna Cathedral
Bologna Cathedral , dedicated to Saint Peter, is the cathedral of Bologna in Italy, and the seat and the metropolitan cathedral of the Archbishop of Bologna...
, 1744-52; and the Aldrovandi Chapel in the Basilica of San Petronio. He was also responsible for the high altar in the Basilica of San Domenico
Basilica of San Domenico
The Basilica of San Domenico is one of the major churches in Bologna, Italy. The remains of Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers , are buried inside the exquisite shrine Arca di San Domenico, made by Nicola Pisano and his workshop, Arnolfo di Cambio and with later additions by Niccolò...
. His principal clients, besides the city nobility and the rising bourgeoisie, were the Bolognese Curia and the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
, for whom he built the Novitiate of Sant'Ignazio, now the Pinacoteca Nazionale
Pinacoteca Nazionale (Bologna)
The National Art Gallery of Bologna is a museum in Bologna, Italy. It is located in the former Saint Ignatius Jesuit novitiate of the city's University district, and inside the same building that houses the Academy of Fine Arts...
, of which the Church of Sant' Ignazio (above) was originally part.
In addition, the Jesuits of Mantua
Mantua
Mantua is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy and capital of the province of the same name. Mantua's historic power and influence under the Gonzaga family, made it one of the main artistic, cultural and notably musical hubs of Northern Italy and the country as a whole...
entrusted to Torreggiani the project of the Palazzo degli Studi (1763). Also in Mantua, from 1756, he planned the new Palazzo Cavriani which was built after the collapse of the earlier residence of the ancient Mantuan Cavriani family.
Among his other works was the Jesuit College in Rimini
Rimini
Rimini is a medium-sized city of 142,579 inhabitants in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and capital city of the Province of Rimini. It is located on the Adriatic Sea, on the coast between the rivers Marecchia and Ausa...
, now the City Museum.
Sources
- Website of the Direzione Regionale per i Beni Culturali e Paesagistici della Emilia-Romagna: Alfonso Torreggiani architetto. Edifici civili a Bologna
- Website of the Direzione Regionale per i Beni Culturali e Paesagistici della Emilia-Romagna: Alfonso Torreggiani architetto. Edifici religiosi a Bologna