The exegesis of Vitruvius and the creation of theatrical spaces in Renaissance Ferrara
Giulia Torello-Hill
Under the rule of Ercole I d'Este (1471–1505), Ferrara experienced an unprecedented revival classical Roman comedy. For first time, plays Plautus and Terence began to be staged in vernacular Italian. This essay focuses on temporary theatre buildings that hosted these productions discusses instrumental role played by short treatise Spectacula, written Ercole's courtier, Pellegrino Prisciani (c. 1435–1510). It argues planning spaces was informed humanist interpretation Vitruvian principles. Furthermore, it evaluates weight contemporary iconography illustrative tradition Terence, which disseminated through printed editions, spaces. The modernization set design creation reinterpreted principles along with adaptation dramatic texts represents modern example reception ancient
Renaissance Studies