The Pantheon in Rome, famous for its harmonious architectural perfection, has over the centuries had a rather curious history concerning its very façade.
In the Baroque age, under the pontificate of Urban VIII, the façade was altered: two side bell towers were added, traditionally attributed to Gian Lorenzo Bernini, although it is now thought that other great architects such as Carlo Maderno and Francesco Borromini were also involved in the project.
The aim was to bring the sacred building into line with the aesthetic canons of the time and to meet liturgical needs, but the result was not at all appreciated by the Romans, who soon nicknamed these structures the “donkey's ears”, so out of place did they find them beside the classical majesty of the Pantheon.
These curious bell towers remained on the building for over two centuries, until after the Unification of Italy, when in 1883 it was decided to demolish them to restore the façade to its ancient splendour.
Unique quality material
Print on handmade Amalfi paper Sheet size: 29 x 42 cm (11.4 x 16.5 in) With frame: 31 x 44 cm (12.2 x 17.3 in) Material: artwork printed on very fine handmade Amalfi paper with deckled edges Frame: light brown beech wood and wood pulp, handmade
How an Amalfi art print is made, what the frame is like, what museum glass is, how long shipping takes, and how returns work: we’ve gathered all the answers on a single page.
