L’impiego della breccia rosata nei cantieri federiciani: scelta estetica o politica?

The use of pink breccia from Gargano (Apulia) in monuments commissioned by Frederick II was not merely an aesthetic choice but carried significant ideological weight, symbolizing a deliberate reference to porphyry. This material, with petrological similarities to coral breccia, was sourced from western Gargano and employed in architectural elements of Castel del Monte and other sites linked to the 'school of Foggia.' Its reintroduction in Capitanata after a Late Antique hiatus marked a Gothic stylistic shift among skilled workers serving the emperor. The study traces its use across key buildings—from Foggia to Castel del Monte, including Pantano, San Severo, Lucera, and Lagopesole—as a manifestation of Frederick II's mature aesthetics. The ideological significance is further underscored by its presence in his tomb in Foggia's cathedral, containing his entrails.

Massimo, G. (2022). L’impiego della breccia rosata nei cantieri federiciani: scelta estetica o politica? Hortus Artium Medievalium, 28, 119–127. https://doi.org/10.1484/j.ham.5.134904