Protomaestro
Protomaestro or Proto was a title in the Venetian Republic referring to the head of construction or senior technical specialist responsible for the maintenance of buildings and engineering systems in the cities of the Venetian Lagoon[1].
The term "protomaestro" was not synonymous with "architect" or the designer of a building. A "proto" often combined various roles, including architect, foreman, construction supervisor, and financial manager of the project[1]. According to Vincenzo Scamozzi, the proto had to understand all aspects of construction, such as laying foundations, erecting walls and vaults, raising columns, building all kinds of brickwork ornamentation, and placing carved stones in their proper places[2].
The position of protomaestro was prestigious and well-paid. Since buildings often took many years to complete, the proto received a stable job with a good salary, often with housing and meals provided. For example, during the construction of San Zaccaria in 1458, Antonio Gambello was appointed as proto with an annual salary of 100 ducats. His successor, Mauro Codussi, earned 80 ducats, likely due to an agreement allowing him to return to Bergamo every winter. Antonio Rizzo, the proto of the Doge's Palace in 1484, earned 100 ducats, which was increased to 125 ducats in the summer of 1485, and by October 1491, his salary was no less than 200 ducats[1].
Notable Protos
[edit]Famous architects such as Jacopo Sansovino[3], Baldassare Longhena, and Pietro Saccardo served as protos of the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice, while Alessandro Tremignon was the proto of the Venetian Arsenal. Andrea Tirali served as proto for the Magistrato alle acque, the institution responsible for the hydraulic systems of the Venetian Lagoon.
Antonio Rizzo and Pietro Lombardo were protos of the Doge's Palace[2].
Today, the term "protomaestro" is still used by the Patriarchate of Venice to refer to the person responsible for overseeing and maintaining St. Mark's Basilica[4][5].
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Goy, R. J. (2006). The building of Renaissance Venice: patrons, architects, and builders, c. 1430—1500. United Kingdom: Yale University Press, P. 89
- ^ a b Buonanno, Lorenzo G. The Performance of Sculpture in Renaissance Venice. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis, 2022
- ^ "Basilica San Marco Le sculture del Sansovino". www.basilicasanmarco.it.
- ^ "Basilica di San Marco in Venezia / Ferdinando Ongania e la Procuratoria di Venezia". www.ongania-sanmarco.it (in Italian).
- ^ Veneta, Gente (2023-10-19). "Mario Piana: un libro a sorpresa per il Proto di San Marco". www.genteveneta.it (in Italian).