San Marco in San Girolamo
Encyclopedia
The Church of San Marco in San Girolamo (St. Mark
in St. Jerome) is a baroque
parish
church in Vicenza
, northern Italy, built in the 18th century by the Discalced Carmelites
. It houses various artworks by artists of the early 18th century from Veneto
. The sacristy
preserves its original furniture of the same period.
(not to be confused with Jesuits) in 1491 and dedicated to St. Jerome. The few remains of the ancient building are the bell tower
and some tombstones. Following the suppression of the Congregation of the Jesuati in 1668, the church and the convent were purchased by the Discalced Carmelites
, who later expanded the religious complex, by rebuilding the church between 1720 and 1727.
In the following years the altars and interior decoration were completed, with great expenditure of resources. The floor in white-and-red marble slabs was made in 1745.
The authorship of the whole project remains uncertain, perhaps suggesting more than one hand. The style of the interior recalls the work of the prominent Venetian
architect Giorgio Massari
(1687-1766). It was also mentioned the name of Giuseppe Marchi (1669-1757), a local architect. It was finally suggested the involvement of Francesco Muttoni.
The facade was built in 1756 and designed by the Abbot Carlo Corbellini from Brescia
. For the facade it was also drafted an alternative design by Ottone Calderari in the same year. The greater altar
was completed in the following year.
The church, though used since 1725 before its completion, was solemnly consecrated in 1760 by the Cardinal and Bishop of Vicenza, Antonio Maria Priuli, and titled to two saints: it retained the ancient title of St. Jerome, adding that of St. Teresa of Ávila
, foundress of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites. It was commonly called "chiesa degli Scalzi" ("church of the Discalced").
In 1810 the Napoleonic laws suppressed all the religious orders and monasteries, confiscating their properties. The church of San Girolamo degli Scalzi was refitted for a short time as a tobacco manufactory, then assigned to the St. Mark parish, becoming the church of "San Marco in S. Girolamo". The ancient Church of St. Mark in Vicenza, which stood nearly above the Pusterla bridge, was sold and demolished soon after.
The church built by the Carmelites is remained essentially intact, even after several restorations (that of 1894 is remembered in a plaque above the entrance). The convent was entrusted to the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (here commonly called "Dame Inglesi") until now.
The facade consists of two sets of Corinthian half-columns upon tall pedestals. The side wings are adorned with statues at the corners. The triangular tympanum
, with thin frames, holds three other statues in the crown. In the lower floor, in the spaces between the half-columns, there are four niches, two on the first floor, with a large niche in the center. The high central window, giving light inside, is walled at the top and was painted in trompe l'oeil
.
For this facade it was developed in 1756 a first draft in Palladian style by Ottone Calderari, unrealized, then adapted in 1824 for the church of S. Filippo Neri in Corso Palladio, Vicenza, by architect Antonio Piovene.
The bell tower, tha can be seen on the back of the church, is the original tower built in the 15th century for the church and convent of the Jesuati. It was raised in 1933 from a design by Giuseppe Dal Conte, keeping five bells cast by Colbachini of Padua. The current set has 14 bells, which are still played by hand. The San Marco bell school is the very last in the city playing by hand (or by rope).
The nave is 28 meters long and 11.5 wide (21 meters, including the chapels). The presbytery
is 18 meters long including the semicircular apse. The nave ceiling consists of two bays. The rhythm is punctuated by a single order of Corinthian pilasters upon high pedestals of stone. On the sides of the main hall there are four chapels, and at the side of the chancel there are two more chapels - now with no altar - in the transept
. The spaces within the four big piers that separate the chapels are used for confessional
s.
Mark the Evangelist
Mark the Evangelist is the traditional author of the Gospel of Mark. He is one of the Seventy Disciples of Christ, and the founder of the Church of Alexandria, one of the original four main sees of Christianity....
in St. Jerome) is a baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
church in Vicenza
Vicenza
Vicenza , a city in north-eastern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monte Berico, straddling the Bacchiglione...
, northern Italy, built in the 18th century by the Discalced Carmelites
Discalced Carmelites
The Discalced Carmelites, or Barefoot Carmelites, is a Catholic mendicant order with roots in the eremitic tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers...
. It houses various artworks by artists of the early 18th century from Veneto
Veneto
Veneto is one of the 20 regions of Italy. Its population is about 5 million, ranking 5th in Italy.Veneto had been for more than a millennium an independent state, the Republic of Venice, until it was eventually annexed by Italy in 1866 after brief Austrian and French rule...
. The sacristy
Sacristy
A sacristy is a room for keeping vestments and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records.The sacristy is usually located inside the church, but in some cases it is an annex or separate building...
preserves its original furniture of the same period.
History
The church stands on the site of a previous religious building built by the JesuatiJesuati
The Jesuati were a religious order founded by Giovanni Colombini of Siena in 1360. The order was initially called Clerici apostolici Sancti Hieronymi because of a special veneration for St. Jerome and the apostolic life the founders led...
(not to be confused with Jesuits) in 1491 and dedicated to St. Jerome. The few remains of the ancient building are the bell tower
Bell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
and some tombstones. Following the suppression of the Congregation of the Jesuati in 1668, the church and the convent were purchased by the Discalced Carmelites
Discalced Carmelites
The Discalced Carmelites, or Barefoot Carmelites, is a Catholic mendicant order with roots in the eremitic tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers...
, who later expanded the religious complex, by rebuilding the church between 1720 and 1727.
In the following years the altars and interior decoration were completed, with great expenditure of resources. The floor in white-and-red marble slabs was made in 1745.
The authorship of the whole project remains uncertain, perhaps suggesting more than one hand. The style of the interior recalls the work of the prominent Venetian
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
architect Giorgio Massari
Giorgio Massari
Giorgio Massari was a prominent late-Baroque Venetian architect. Among his masterpieces are the Chiesa dei Gesuati and the Palazzo Grassi-Stucky...
(1687-1766). It was also mentioned the name of Giuseppe Marchi (1669-1757), a local architect. It was finally suggested the involvement of Francesco Muttoni.
The facade was built in 1756 and designed by the Abbot Carlo Corbellini from Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
. For the facade it was also drafted an alternative design by Ottone Calderari in the same year. The greater altar
Altar
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. Altars are usually found at shrines, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of worship...
was completed in the following year.
The church, though used since 1725 before its completion, was solemnly consecrated in 1760 by the Cardinal and Bishop of Vicenza, Antonio Maria Priuli, and titled to two saints: it retained the ancient title of St. Jerome, adding that of St. Teresa of Ávila
Teresa of Ávila
Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada, was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun, and writer of the Counter Reformation, and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer...
, foundress of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites. It was commonly called "chiesa degli Scalzi" ("church of the Discalced").
In 1810 the Napoleonic laws suppressed all the religious orders and monasteries, confiscating their properties. The church of San Girolamo degli Scalzi was refitted for a short time as a tobacco manufactory, then assigned to the St. Mark parish, becoming the church of "San Marco in S. Girolamo". The ancient Church of St. Mark in Vicenza, which stood nearly above the Pusterla bridge, was sold and demolished soon after.
The church built by the Carmelites is remained essentially intact, even after several restorations (that of 1894 is remembered in a plaque above the entrance). The convent was entrusted to the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (here commonly called "Dame Inglesi") until now.
Exterior
The church facade, designed in 1756 by architect Carlo Corbellini, is a baroque facade of large proportions, with 11 statues of saints.The facade consists of two sets of Corinthian half-columns upon tall pedestals. The side wings are adorned with statues at the corners. The triangular tympanum
Tympanum (architecture)
In architecture, a tympanum is the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, bounded by a lintel and arch. It often contains sculpture or other imagery or ornaments. Most architectural styles include this element....
, with thin frames, holds three other statues in the crown. In the lower floor, in the spaces between the half-columns, there are four niches, two on the first floor, with a large niche in the center. The high central window, giving light inside, is walled at the top and was painted in trompe l'oeil
Trompe l'oeil
Trompe-l'œil, which can also be spelled without the hyphen in English as trompe l'oeil, is an art technique involving extremely realistic imagery in order to create the optical illusion that the depicted objects appear in three dimensions.-History in painting:Although the phrase has its origin in...
.
For this facade it was developed in 1756 a first draft in Palladian style by Ottone Calderari, unrealized, then adapted in 1824 for the church of S. Filippo Neri in Corso Palladio, Vicenza, by architect Antonio Piovene.
The bell tower, tha can be seen on the back of the church, is the original tower built in the 15th century for the church and convent of the Jesuati. It was raised in 1933 from a design by Giuseppe Dal Conte, keeping five bells cast by Colbachini of Padua. The current set has 14 bells, which are still played by hand. The San Marco bell school is the very last in the city playing by hand (or by rope).
Interior
The interior has a main hall with a single nave and tall side chapels that provide light to the main hall through large windows.The nave is 28 meters long and 11.5 wide (21 meters, including the chapels). The presbytery
Presbytery (architecture)
The presbytery is the name for an area in a church building which is reserved for the clergy.In the oldest church it is separated by short walls, by small columns and pilasters in the Renaissance ones; it can also be raised, being reachable by a few steps, usually with railings....
is 18 meters long including the semicircular apse. The nave ceiling consists of two bays. The rhythm is punctuated by a single order of Corinthian pilasters upon high pedestals of stone. On the sides of the main hall there are four chapels, and at the side of the chancel there are two more chapels - now with no altar - in the transept
Transept
For the periodical go to The Transept.A transept is a transverse section, of any building, which lies across the main body of the building. In Christian churches, a transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform building in Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architecture...
. The spaces within the four big piers that separate the chapels are used for confessional
Confessional
A confessional is a small, enclosed booth used for the Sacrament of Penance, often called confession, or Reconciliation. It is the usual venue for the sacrament in the Roman Catholic Church, but similar structures are also used in Anglican churches of an Anglo-Catholic orientation, and also in the...
s.
Artworks
Some of the main artworks preserved in the church:- Costantino Pasqualotto (Costantini): The Vision of St. John of the Cross, between 1735 and 1750, altarpiece of the first chapel on the right.
- Sebastiano RicciSebastiano RicciSebastiano Ricci was an Italian painter of the late Baroque school of Venice. About the same age as Piazzetta, and an elder contemporary of Tiepolo, he represents a late version of the vigorous and luminous Cortonesque style of grand manner fresco painting.-Early years:He was born in Belluno, son...
: Ecstasy of St. Teresa of Avila, ca. 1725, altarpiece of the second chapel on the right. - Lodovico Buffetti (attributed): Education of the Blessed Virgin, with Anna and Joachim, altarpiece of the first chapel on the left.
- Antonio BalestraAntonio BalestraAntonio Balestra was an Italian painter of the Rococo period.Born in Verona, he first apprenticed there with Giovanni Zeffio. By 1690 he moved to Venice, where he worked for three years under Antonio Bellucci, then moved to Bologna and then to paint in Carlo Maratta's workshop in Rome. In 1694, he...
: Vision of the Blessed Virgin giving the scapularScapularThe term scapular as used today refers to two specific, yet related, Christian Sacramentals, namely the monastic and devotional scapulars, although both forms may simply be referred to as "scapular"....
to the Blessed Simon StockSimon StockSaint Simon Stock, an Englishman who lived in the 13th century, was an early prior general of the Carmelite religious order. Little is known about his life with any historical certainty. The Blessed Virgin Mary is traditionally said to have appeared to him and given him the Carmelite habit, the...
at the presence of Saint JosephSaint JosephSaint Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ ....
, between 1725 and early thirties, altarpiece of the second chapel on the left. - Antonio De Pieri: St. Jerome hold to Heaven by Angels, 1727, right side of transept (once placed in the apse).
- Matteo Brida: The Prophet Elijah and The prophet Elisha, first half of the 18th century, concave wall at both sides of the main arch.
- Giovanni Battista Maganza the Younger: Dead Christ with Mary and Mary Magdalene, John the Evangelist and Saint Nicholas Bishop, 1615, in the left transept (once in the Jesuati Church).
- Alessandro MaganzaAlessandro MaganzaAlessandro Maganza was an Italian painter of the Mannerist style, born and active in Vicenza, as well as in Venice.He likely trained with his father, Giovanni Battista Maganza, also a painter; as well as by Giovanni Antonio Fasolo. He is said to have spent the years 1572–1576 in Venice...
: The Trinity with the Blessed Giovanni Colombini and San Carlo Borromeo, 1612, left transept (once in the Jesuati Church). - Giovanni Battista MaganzaGiovanni Battista MaganzaGiovanni Battista Maganza was a late Renaissance Italian painter, from Vicenza, mainly producing religious altarpieces for local churches. He was also a poet and a friend of Andrea Palladio. His son Alessandro Maganza was also a prominent local painter.- References :...
the Elder (called the Magagnò): St. Jerome penitent, 1570), Winter Chapel of The Divine Mercy and St. Jerome (once in the Jesuati Church).
Sources
- Edoardo Arslan, Catalogo delle cose d'arte e di antichità d'Italia – Vicenza, vol. I – le chiese, De Luca, Roma 1961. pp. 105-110
- Giovanna Dalla Pozza Peruffo, Tarcisio Pirocca, Chiesa di S. Marco in S. Girolamo - Bicentenario, Vicenza 2010
- Giuseppe Scapin, Brevi notizie storiche della parrocchia di S. Marco in S. Girolamo, Vicenza, Scuola grafica Istituto S. Gaetano, 25 luglio 1969
- Parrocchia di S. Marco in S. Girolamo, last visited 2010-12-28
- Note: the article is a translation from it.wiki, revision of 28 december 2010.
Further readings
- Francesco Fontana, Il Sei e Settecento a Vicenza, in Vicenza, aspetti di una città attraverso i secoli, Tip. Rumor, Vicenza, 1983
- Giovanni Mantese, Memorie storiche della chiesa vicentina, vol. III parte II, Neri Pozza, Vicenza, pp. 394-397
- Giovanni Mantese, Memorie storiche della chiesa vicentina, vol. IV parte I, Accademia Olimpica, Vicenza, pp. 377-383