Dome

"The origins of Canova's Tempio are well known. The artist had been begged by the townspeople to undertake repairs on the old parish church, but on seeing the building he decided that it was beyond repair. Having devised the idea of a new religious building and settled the question of the project, Canova resolved to create a work on the basis of historical precedents. Canova wished to create a synthesis of two paradigms from Greek and Roman architecture - the Parthenon and the Pantheon. The drawings for the temple were drafted by the Lombard Pietro Bosio. The plans were then revised by the academicians of San Luca befor being executed by a relative of Canova, Giovanni Zardo Fantolin, who managed the work-site and saw to the technical and structural problems. Selva approved of Canova's architectural choices, but Selva died suddenly in February, 1819, without even seeing the foundation stone laid. For his part, Canova was to supply all the worked materials and would meet the expense of employing two hundred and five workers, in addition to the expert builders and beasts of burden. By 1830 the Tempio was to all effects and purposes completed." ("Antonio Canova", p. 347-349)full view