Page 76 - Translation Journal July 2015
P. 76
gure 1. Portrait of Giovanni Poleni by Giacomo Ciesa (1772-1773. Astronomical observatory of Padua).
Figures 2-4. Some of the best-known illustrations in the Historic Memories of Giovanni Poleni.
The treatise is very voluminous; in fact, it contains only 86 pages of drawings out of more than 400 pages of text. But at the same time
reading the treatise is facilitated by the structure of the essay: 5 books, 76 chapters, 458 columns, 669 paragraphs, 696 footnotes,
authors index with 915 calls and 290 names and a thematic index with 1417 calls and 579 relevant issues. This allows reading of this
ante litteram hypertext in different ways and for scholars interested in very different types of research fields (history, religion, architecture,
mechanics, geology, numismatics, genealogy, etc). For these reasons Historic Memories is articulated in six sections, called books:
The first book concerns the anamnesis and explores the history of the Vatican Church, above all in terms of the connection between
historical sources and constructive phases, with the aim to investigate any vulnerabilities intrinsic to the construction. The second
book concludes the anamnesis, describing and investigating the state of art about mechanics applied to the theory of arches, vaults
and domes, comparing the theoretical approach, experiments and convictions of some of the most influential and authoritative scholars
and scientists of Poleni’s time from Blondel and Parent to Dulacq and Stirling, from Hooke and Newton to Musschenbroek
and Bernoulli. The third book deals with the diagnosis, proposing an interpretation of the damage suffered by St. Peter’s Dome in the
past and in his time. Under the methodological point of view, it is interesting to note that Poleni starts to elaborate his interpretation
through description, comments and criticism of a very large number of writings, books, reports, treatises and essays written by several
scholars in charge of analysing the problems of the period before him, including not only the opinions of mathematicians and architects,
but also some suggestions of philosophers, historians and experienced masons, thus demonstrating an open-mindedness, which is
unusual for that period. The fourth book deals with the prognosis, suggesting the integration of two different kinds of restoration
work: first of all he proposes to add five tension metal rings to the Dome. Second, he recommends to retrofit all the cracks and
damage using materials, techniques and procedures as much as possible that are compatible with those present in the structures
(arches, dome, pillars, etc) to be repaired. Also in this case, with regard to the methodological approach, it is interesting to note that his
intent is to demonstrate the validity of his proposals comparing them to others’ opinions, case studies and previous experiences.
The fifth and last book briefly describes the restoration site, the work actually carried out and some discrepancies and differences
76 | Translation Journal - July 2015
Figures 2-4. Some of the best-known illustrations in the Historic Memories of Giovanni Poleni.
The treatise is very voluminous; in fact, it contains only 86 pages of drawings out of more than 400 pages of text. But at the same time
reading the treatise is facilitated by the structure of the essay: 5 books, 76 chapters, 458 columns, 669 paragraphs, 696 footnotes,
authors index with 915 calls and 290 names and a thematic index with 1417 calls and 579 relevant issues. This allows reading of this
ante litteram hypertext in different ways and for scholars interested in very different types of research fields (history, religion, architecture,
mechanics, geology, numismatics, genealogy, etc). For these reasons Historic Memories is articulated in six sections, called books:
The first book concerns the anamnesis and explores the history of the Vatican Church, above all in terms of the connection between
historical sources and constructive phases, with the aim to investigate any vulnerabilities intrinsic to the construction. The second
book concludes the anamnesis, describing and investigating the state of art about mechanics applied to the theory of arches, vaults
and domes, comparing the theoretical approach, experiments and convictions of some of the most influential and authoritative scholars
and scientists of Poleni’s time from Blondel and Parent to Dulacq and Stirling, from Hooke and Newton to Musschenbroek
and Bernoulli. The third book deals with the diagnosis, proposing an interpretation of the damage suffered by St. Peter’s Dome in the
past and in his time. Under the methodological point of view, it is interesting to note that Poleni starts to elaborate his interpretation
through description, comments and criticism of a very large number of writings, books, reports, treatises and essays written by several
scholars in charge of analysing the problems of the period before him, including not only the opinions of mathematicians and architects,
but also some suggestions of philosophers, historians and experienced masons, thus demonstrating an open-mindedness, which is
unusual for that period. The fourth book deals with the prognosis, suggesting the integration of two different kinds of restoration
work: first of all he proposes to add five tension metal rings to the Dome. Second, he recommends to retrofit all the cracks and
damage using materials, techniques and procedures as much as possible that are compatible with those present in the structures
(arches, dome, pillars, etc) to be repaired. Also in this case, with regard to the methodological approach, it is interesting to note that his
intent is to demonstrate the validity of his proposals comparing them to others’ opinions, case studies and previous experiences.
The fifth and last book briefly describes the restoration site, the work actually carried out and some discrepancies and differences
76 | Translation Journal - July 2015
