The Relief-Perspectives of Bitonti and Borromini: Design and Representation of the Illusory Space

The research represents principles of projective-geometric design of illusory spaces and proposes a study about the relief-perspective which featured the applications of science and art to interior decoration and architectural spaces during the sixteenth and the seventeenth century. The research has analyzed a selection of figurative and built illusory spaces, going to deepen the formation of the concepts of perception and illusion. During Renaissance was given emphasis to projective methods, of which were investigated the principles of geometric and optical ones in the proportions and in the visualization of architectural works, and the use of projective system accelerating or slowing the effects of the natural perspective to modify certain environmental aspects, external and internal, to the built volumes. The research also compares two major applications, the relief-perspectives of Francesco Borromini and Giovanni Maria da Bitonto and their partnership in the design of the perspectival tabernacle in Bologna and in the perspectival gallery for the Spada palace in Rome.