Doge's Palace (Venice) - Capitals

Here we follow the opposite order of J. Rushkin, starting at the oldest capital from right to left, XXXVI=1

Palazzo Ducale (Venezia) / The Doge's Palace (Venice)Edit

The portal columns are 3,10 m, the capitals 69,5 cm high.

Capitelli / CapitalsEdit

If you can read English, you might enjoy reading the description of these sculptures, one by one, given in 19th century by John Ruskin in his The stones of Venice [1853]. You can find the relevant text here (capitals 1-12) and here (capitals 13-37).

All capitals, except that of the first, are octagonal and decorated by sixteen leaves; eight of them rising to the angles, and there forming volutes; the eight others set between them, on the sides, rising half-way up the bell of the capital
There are five different types of capitals (A, B1-4). All capitals vault towards the octagonal abacus. Spathaceous bracts mark the corners of the abacus. There are two different versions of the abacus (A/B).
Type A see
The corners are covered by eight broad ornamental bands, which vault to the exterior beneath the abacus. The volutes are in form of a five-lobed leaves reminding of wine leaves. These capitals are only decorated by heads of human beings or animals. Seven capitals from the 13th-century belong to this type.
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 02,
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 05
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 12
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 15
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 19
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 22
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 27
Type B
These types of capitals have a second ring of half-grown leaves, which form the base for the figurative decorations besides the spathaceous bracts at the eight corners of the abacus. The leaves are organized as volutes, bundles, spathaceous bracts or half grown leaves which form the four variants of this type.
The leaf-veins develop from the central leaf-vein (B1 see Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 21, B2 see Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 08) or begin from the abacus (B4 Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 17 with the three-lobed leaves volutes turning aside). The upper leaves of the five-lobed volutes of type B1, B2 curl into cycles or upwards into scrolls.
Type B1 see
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 01
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 07
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 10
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 13
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 21
Type B2
The half grown leaves come out an up growing bundle
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 00
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 06
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 08
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 09
Capitals in the Doge's Palace (Venice) - 11

00 - Infanzia ed arte del barbiere / Infancy, and the barber's artEdit

(Incompleto / Incomplete)

h) Junger Mann hält Schere und Doppelkamm
In front, towards the Sea, a child is holding a bird before him, with its wings expanded, covering his breast.

01 - Uccelli / BirdsEdit

(Incompleto / Incomplete)

Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.

02 - Dame e cavalieri / Ladies and GentlemenEdit

(Incompleto / Incomplete)

Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Giovane / Youth.
Dama / Lady.
Cavaliere / Knight.
Cavaliere / Knight.

03 - PuttiEdit

(Incompleto / Incomplete)

a) Boy with bird and half of a chestnut
a) Boy with bird and half of a chestnut b) Boy with grapes c) Boy supporting his head in melancholy
b) Boy with grapes c) Boy supporting his head in melancholy
f) Boy holding a fruit to his breast g) Boy with cherries
g) Boy with cherries h) Boy with pomegranate a) Boy with bird and half of a chestnut
f) Boy holding a fruit to his breast g) Boy with cherries h) Boy with pomegranate
f) Boy holding a fruit to his breast g) Boy with cherries h) Boy with pomegranate
h) Boy with pomegranate

04 - Monarchi / MonarchsEdit

a) Vespasianus pointing with his sword to a picture of Christ
a) Vespasianus imperator.
b) Traianus imperator.
c) Priamus rex Troie.
d)Nabuccodonosor.
e) Alexander Macedonie rex.
f) Darius rex persarum.
g) Iulius Cesar imperator.
h) Octavianus Augustus imperator.

05 - Dame / LadiesEdit

06 - Virtues and vicesEdit

(In restauro / Undergoing restoration)

h) MODESTIA ROBU OBTINEO Woman pointing at a pot a) LARGITAS ME ONORAT Man takes money b) CONSTANCIA SU NIL TIMES
g) INFIDELITATE NULI GERO Man with beard and turban pointing at a naked idol h) MODESTIA ROBU OBTINEO Woman pointing at a pot a) LARGITAS ME ONORAT Man takes money

07 - Mostri / MonstersEdit

(In restauro / Undergoing restoration)

h) Young man with dragon tail a) Young man with a violin, lower part of his body is of a fish b) Young man playing the lute; paws of a bear are under his dress
g)Centaur h) Young man with dragon tail a) Young man with a violin, lower part of his body is of a fish

08 - Virtù / VirtuesEdit

a)Fides optima Deo (Fede / Faith).
b)Fortitudo invincibilis (Fortezza / Fortitude).
c)Temperancia sum in omnibus (Temperanza / Temperance).
d)Humilitas abitat in me (Umiltà / Humility).
e)Charitas Dei mecum est (Carità / Charity).
f)Rex sum iusticie (Giustizia / Justice).
Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Prudencia metit omnia (Prudenza / Prudence).
Spem habe in Domino (Speranza / Hope).

09 - Virtù / VirtuesEdit

10 - Peccati capitali / Deadly sinsEdit

Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Lusuria sum inmensa (Lussuria / Lust)
Lusuria sum inmensa (Lussuria / Lust)
Gula sine ordine sum (Gola / Gluttony).
Superbia preese volo (Superbia / Pride).
Ira crudelis est in me (Ira / Anger).
Avaricia anplector (Avarizia / Greed).
Accidia me stringit (Accidia / Laziness).
Vanitas in me abundat (Vanità / Vanity).
Vanitas in me abundat (Vanità / Vanity).
Invidia me cumburit (Invidia / Envy).

11 - Uccelli acquatici / BirdsEdit

Il capitello / The capital.

12 - Virtù e vizi / Virtues and vicesEdit

In gran parte una replica ottocentesca / Mostly a 19th century replica.

Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The chapital.
Misericordia D.ni mecum est (Misericordia / Mercy).
Alacritas canit mecum (Alacrità).
Stulticia in me regnat (Stoltezza / Folly).
Chastitas celeps est (castità / Chastity).
Honestatem diligo (Onestà / Honesty).
Falsa fides in me semper est (Frode / Fraud).
Iniusticia seva sum (Ingiustizia / Injustice).
Astinencia optima est (Astinenza / Abstinence).

13 - Teste leonine / Lion headsEdit

Il capitello / The capital.

14 - Quadrupedi / QuadrupedsEdit

Il capitello / The capital.
Leone / Lion.
Leone / Lion.
Leonessa / Lioness.
Cane / Dog.
Volpe (?) / Fox (?).
Cinghiale / Boar.
Levriero / Greyhound.
Scimmia / Monkey.
Scimmia / Monkey.

15 - Dame e cavalieri / Ladies and GentlemenEdit

Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello /The capital.
Donna che fila / Spinning woman.
Falconiere / Falconer.
Cavaliere / Knight.
Dama / Lady.
Dama / Lady
Adolescente / Youth.

16 - Razze umane / Human racesEdit

Il capitello / The chapital.
Il capitello / The chapital.
Il capitello / The chapital.
Il capitello / The chapital.
Moor.
Moor.
Satyr (!)
Mongolian.
Mongolian.

17 - Sapienti antichi (le arti liberali) / Ancient wise men (Liberal arts)Edit

Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Salomon sapiens.
Priscianus gramaticus.
Aristoteles dialecticus.
Tullius rhetoricus.
Pitagoras arsmetricus.
Heuclides geometricus.
TubalChaim musicus.
Tolomeus astrologus.

18 - (Colonna angolare) Pianeti e Zodiaco / (Corner pillar) Planets & ZodiacEdit

Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Giove, Pesci, Sagittario. / Jupiter, Pisces, Sagittarius.
Marte, Ariete, Scorpione / Mars, Aries, Scorpio.
Sole e Leone / Sun and Lion.
Sole e Leone / Sun and Lion.
Venere, Toro e Bilancia / Venus, Taurus and Libra.
Venere, Toro e Bilancia / Venus, Taurus and Libra.
Mercurio e Gemelli / Mercurius and Gemini.
Mercurio e Gemelli / Mercurius and Gemini.
Luna e Cancro / Moon and Cancer.
Luna e Cancro / Moon and Cancer.
La Terra: Dio forma Adamo ed Eva / Earth: God forming Adam and Eve.
La Terra: Dio forma Adamo ed Eva / Earth: God forming Adam and Eve.
Saturno, Capricorno, Acquario / Saturn, Capricron, Aquarius.

19 - Santi scultori - Sculptors saintsEdit

Il capitello / The capital
Il capitello / The capital.
S. Simplicius.
S. Claudius
Disipulus incredulus.
S. Chastorius.
Disipulus optimus.
S. Nichostratus.
Tartarus disipulus.
S. Simphorianus.

20 - Animali da preda / PredatorsEdit

Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Lupus (lupo) / Wolf.
Vulpis (volpe) / Fox.
Grifo (grifone) / Griffin.
Aper (cinghale) / Boar.
Chanis (cane) / Dog.
Musipulus (?).
Ursus (orso) / Bear.
Leo (leone) / Lion.

21 Mestieri / CraftsEdit

I capitelli 20 e 21 / Capitals 20 & 21.
Lapicida (Scalpellino / Stone-cutter).
Aurifices (Orefice / Goldsmith).
Cerdosum ? . Cobbler
Cerdosum ?. Cobbler
Carpentarius (Carperntiere / Carpenter).
Mensurator (Misuratore / Measurer).
Agrichola (Agricoltore / Peasant).
Notarius (Notaio / Notary).
Faber (Fabbro / Blacksmith).
Faber (Fabbro / Blacksmith).

22 - Le età dell'uomo - The Ages of menEdit

Il capitello / the capital.
Il capitello / the capital.
(Infanzia)
(Prima adolescenza)
Adolosencie (Adolescenza / Early youth).
(Età adulta / Adult age)
Senectute (Età piena / Full age)
(Vecchiaia / Old age)
Decrepite... (Decrepitezza / Very old age)
Ultime mors ("Infine, la morte" / "Eventually, death").

23 - Popoli della Terra / People of the WorldEdit

Il capitello / the capital.
Il capitello / the capital.
Latini.
Latini, Tartari.
Tartari (Tartars).
Turchi (Turks).
Ongari (Ungheresi / Hungarians).
Greci (Greeks).
Goti (goths)
Egicum (Egiziano / Egyptian).
Persii (Persians).
Persii, Latini (Persian and Latin people).

24 - Fasi della paternità / Phases in fatheringEdit

Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Corteggiamento / Courtship.
Corteggiamento / Courtship.
Matrimonio / Marriage.
Bacio / Kiss.
Accoppiamento / Sexual intercourse.
Nascita del neonato / Birth of the sibling.
Famiglia / Family.
Morte del bambino / Death of the sibling.

25 - I mesi / Months of the yearEdit

Il capitello / The capital.
Inuariu Febrauriu.
Marcius cornator.
Aprilis Magius.
Iunius cum ceresis.
Iulius Agustu.
September supeditat.
Octube Novenbe.
December necat suem.

26 - Dame e cavalieri / Ladies and GentlemenEdit

27 - Frutta e verdura / Fruit and vegetablesEdit

I capitelli fino al n. 26 / Capitals until #26.
I capitelli dal 26 in poi / Capitals from # 26 on.
Il capitello / The capital.
Çerexis (ciliege) / Cherries.
Piri / Pears.
Chucumeris (cetrioli) / Cucumbers
Persici (pesche) / Peaches.
Moloni (meloni) / Melons.
Çuche (zucche) / Pumpkins.
Fici (fichi) / Figues.
Huva (uva) / Grapes.

28 - Virtù e vizi / Virtues and vicesEdit

Il capitello / The capital.
Constancia.
Dischordia discordans.
Paciencia manet mecum.
Disperacio.
Obediencia Dno exireo.
In fidelitate nullli gero.
Modestia.

29 - Virtù / VirtuesEdit

Il capitello / The capital.
Fides (Fede / Faith)
"Fortitudo invincibilis" (Fortezza / Fortitude).
"Temperancia sum in omnibus" (Temperanza / Temperance).
"Humilitas abitat in me" (Umiltà / Humility).
" Karitas Dei mecum est" (Carità / Charity).
"Rex sum iusticie " (Giustizia / Justice).
"Prudentia metit omnia" (Prudenza / Prudence).
"Spem habe in Domino" (Speranza / Hope).

30 - Peccati capitali / Deadly sinsEdit

Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Accidia me stringit
Vanitas in me abundat
Invidia me comburit
Luxuria sum, stercus Inferi
Gula sine ordine sum.
Superbia preesse volo.
Ira crudelis est in me.
Avaricia anplector.

31 - Mostri / MonstersEdit

Il capitello / The capital.
Il capitello / The capital.
Mostro con viella / Monster playing a vielle.
Mostro con liuto / Monster playing a lute.
Chimera.
Mostro con Flauto di Pan / Monster playing a Pan flute.
Centauro.
Centauro.
Centauro.
Sirena / Mermaid.

32 - Edit

33 - Vizi e virtù / Vices and virtuesEdit

Il capitello / The capital.
Castitas (Castità / Chastity).
Castitas (Castità / Chastity).
Honestatem diligo (Amo l'onestà / I cherish honesty).
Falsitas in me semper est (La falsità è sempre in me / Falseness is always in me).
Iniusticia seva sum (Sono l'ingiustizia spietata / I am the merciless injustice).
Astinencia optima (L'astinenza è ottima / Abstince is excellent).
Misericordia Do<mi>ni mecum (La Misericordia divina è con me / God's Mercy is with me).
Alachritas chanit mecum (L'alacrità canta con me / Alachrity sings with me).
Stulticia in me regnat (La stoltezza regna in me / Folly rules over me).