Il contributo degli architetti italiani alla nuova architettura russa (XV–XVI secolo): concezioni dell’antico, tradizione moscovita e stilemi rinascimentali

A new perspective on 15th–16th century Russian architecture reveals that the Council of Ferrara and Florence (1437–1439) marked a pivotal moment for architectural discourse, influencing the so-called Russian Renaissance. The study highlights the role of Italian architects from diverse backgrounds—Bologna, Venice, Tuscany—in shaping four iconic Moscow religious buildings: the Dormition Cathedral (1475), Archangel Cathedral (1505–1508), Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye (1532), and Saint Basil's Cathedral (1555–1561). Analysis of an overlooked 18th-century source, combined with stylistic examination, suggests that Saint Basil’s design may have involved an Italian master. These structures exemplify how foreign architects adapted to local needs by balancing traditional Moscow styles with Renaissance elements, offering a nuanced understanding of cultural exchange in Russian architecture.

Rossi, F. (2021). Il contributo degli architetti italiani alla nuova architettura russa (XV–XVI secolo): concezioni dell’antico, tradizione moscovita e stilemi rinascimentali. Mitteilungen Des Kunsthistorischen Institutes in Florenz, Bd. 60 Nr. 1 (2018): Mitteilungen des Kunsthistorischen Institutes in Florenz. https://doi.org/10.11588/MKHI.2018.1.81634