Religious architecture and commissioners in Brescia after the Tridentine Reform. The contribution of Giuseppe Dattaro in project dynamics and innovative insights

Abstract

The current paper concerns events related to the design of the Pontevico and Verolanuova churches, which were started during the last decades of the 16th century. The fiefs, located in the area today known as Bassa Bresciana, were under the jurisdiction of the Gambara family, who were feudal lords with extensive properties in the areas between Brescia and Cremona.

Recent archival research attests the contribution of architect Giuseppe Dattaro from Cremona in both church projects and confirms contacts between Giuseppe Dattaro and Nicolò Gambara. Dattaro applied innovative solutions for the religious architectural context of Brescia: in such contests, he experimented with the design of elliptical domes and developed interesting design solutions to integrate collegiate church space, especially in the Verolanuova site, also paying attention to musical and choir needs.

Thanks to the Gambara family patronage, also in the architectural design of Pontevico and Verolanuova churchs, Dattaro refined his technical skills before arriving in Mantua to work for Vincenzo I Gonzaga (1590-1595). Through analysis of these two architectural examples, the paper aims to recognize the role of Brescia in the architectural context of Northern Italy during the second half of the 16th century.