Le ‘decorazioni’ interne del castello di Alnwick: una combinazione dello stile del Cinquecento col romano antico

Starting from 1853 and for over ten years, the construction of the interior architecture of the castle of Alnwick, of the IV Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, became the center of realization and diffusion of the Italian 'taste', particularly of the Roman Renaissance "hard and pleasant at the same time ". A thoughtful choice desired by the Dukes to respond to modern comfort and magnificently celebrate the history of the noble Percy family. Luigi Canina, on the strength of his fame in England, was chosen by the clients but was his main and gifted collaborator, the architect Giovanni Montiroli, the responsible for the entire execution of the drawings and the direction of the construction site. The essay dealt with the creation of these magnificent interiors, in particular ceilings and fireplaces, in which the "heritage of Renaissance architecture" is highlighted in the choice of models and in the management of a construction site that saw the execution, the transport of specimens and components and the involvement of workers, artists and materials from Rome to Alnwick.