Antonio Basoli
Encyclopedia
Antonio Basoli was an Italian artist born in Castel Guelfo who worked mostly in Bologna
. He was a painter, interior designer, engraver, and professor at the “Accademia delle Arti di Bologna” from 1804 to 1826. During his time at the Accademia he developed a close affinity towards Domenico Corsini and Pelagio Palagi
.
His education was motivated by an insatiable and constant interest in Classic art, Classic and contemporary literature, and the works, decorations and inscriptions of Piranesi.
His first teacher was his father, Lelio Andrea Basoli.
Basoli worked as a set and curtain designer, as well as decorator for various theaters around Bologna such as the Marsigli Rossi Theater, the Teatro Comunale di Bologna
, and, in particular, the Theater Contavalli (1814). In addition to his decorations at these theaters he also decorated palaces around the city such as the Palazzo Rosselli del Turco, Palazzo Sanguinetti and Palazzo Hercolani. Sadly most of his works survive only through references to them such as detailed production sketches, watercolors and engravings, amongst which the aquatints from Collezione di varie scene teatrali, started in 1821. Basoli was offered work from theaters in Rome in 1815, and from Naples, by request of Gioacchino Rossini
, in 1818 both of which he refused . However, in 1818 he did decide to take a trip to Milan, where he visited the sala Sanquirico the studio of the most important scenic designer of la Scala
from which Basoli found inspiration for the set design for the opera Semiramide
in 1820, the set for a production of Oedipus the King
at the Theater Contavalli in 1822, and, lastly, the background paintings for the scenes at the Theater of Cavalieri dell’Unione in Santarcangelo di Romagna
1822. During this same period he produced, amongst others, important works at the palazzo Hercolani, the villa Marescalchi, the palazzo Baciocchi, and his house in 1823 others.
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,...
. He was a painter, interior designer, engraver, and professor at the “Accademia delle Arti di Bologna” from 1804 to 1826. During his time at the Accademia he developed a close affinity towards Domenico Corsini and Pelagio Palagi
Pelagio Palagi
thumb|250px|Statue of [[Amadeus VI|Green Count]], made by Pelagi, in [[Piazza Palazzo di Città]], [[Turin]].Pelagio Palagi was an Italian painter, sculptor and interior decorator.- Early life :...
.
His education was motivated by an insatiable and constant interest in Classic art, Classic and contemporary literature, and the works, decorations and inscriptions of Piranesi.
His first teacher was his father, Lelio Andrea Basoli.
Works
Teatro Comunale di Bologna
The Teatro Comunale di Bologna is an opera house in Bologna, Italy, and is one of the most important opera venues in Italy. Typically, it presents eight operas with six performances during its November to April season....
, and, in particular, the Theater Contavalli (1814). In addition to his decorations at these theaters he also decorated palaces around the city such as the Palazzo Rosselli del Turco, Palazzo Sanguinetti and Palazzo Hercolani. Sadly most of his works survive only through references to them such as detailed production sketches, watercolors and engravings, amongst which the aquatints from Collezione di varie scene teatrali, started in 1821. Basoli was offered work from theaters in Rome in 1815, and from Naples, by request of Gioacchino Rossini
Gioacchino Rossini
Gioachino Antonio Rossini was an Italian composer who wrote 39 operas as well as sacred music, chamber music, songs, and some instrumental and piano pieces...
, in 1818 both of which he refused . However, in 1818 he did decide to take a trip to Milan, where he visited the sala Sanquirico the studio of the most important scenic designer of la Scala
La Scala
La Scala , is a world renowned opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the New Royal-Ducal Theatre at La Scala...
from which Basoli found inspiration for the set design for the opera Semiramide
Semiramide
Semiramide is an opera in two acts by Gioachino Rossini.The libretto by Gaetano Rossi is based on Voltaire's tragedy Semiramis, which in turn was based on the legend of Semiramis of Babylon...
in 1820, the set for a production of Oedipus the King
Oedipus the King
Oedipus the King , also known by the Latin title Oedipus Rex, is an Athenian tragedy by Sophocles that was first performed c. 429 BCE. It was the second of Sophocles's three Theban plays to be produced, but it comes first in the internal chronology, followed by Oedipus at Colonus and then Antigone...
at the Theater Contavalli in 1822, and, lastly, the background paintings for the scenes at the Theater of Cavalieri dell’Unione in Santarcangelo di Romagna
Santarcangelo di Romagna
Santarcangelo di Romagna is a town and comune in the province of Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, on the Via Emilia. As of 2009, it had a population of some 21,300. It is crossed by two rivers, the Uso and the Marecchia.- Santarcangelo Festival :...
1822. During this same period he produced, amongst others, important works at the palazzo Hercolani, the villa Marescalchi, the palazzo Baciocchi, and his house in 1823 others.
Publications
- Raccolta di prospettive serie, rustiche e di paesaggio (1810)
- Guarnizioni diverse di maniera antica (1814)
- Porte della città di Bologna (1817)
- Esemplare di Elementi d'Ornato che contiene lo studio della pianta d'accanto (1817)
- Collezione di varie scene teatrali (1821)
- Compartimenti di camere (1827)
- Vedute pittoresche della città di Bologna (1833)
- Definizioni geometriche (1837)
- Raccolta di diversi ornamenti (1838)
- Alfabeto pittorico (1839)
External links
- Comune (municipality) of Castel Guelfo di BolognaCastel Guelfo di BolognaCastel Guelfo di Bologna is a comune in the Province of Bologna in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 30 km southeast of Bologna....
Antonio Basoli, ornatista, scenografo, pittore di paesaggio - exhibition at the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna the 15 April 2008 in collaboration with the comune (municipality) of BolognaBolognaBologna 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,...
http://www.comune.bologna.it/. - Link to over 200 pictures of Basoli's work http://certosa.cineca.it/chiostro/persone.php?ID=481167.
- Basoli's Alphabet http://gravures.ru/photo/antonio_bazoli/alfavit/37.