THE RECEPTION OF THE BAROQUE TECHNIC CONVEX-CONCAVE FAÇADE (PARETE ONDULATA) IN LOWER SILESIA

BOGNA LUDWIG

ABSTRACT

The article aims to analyze the use of the Baroque convex-concave design technique, from the point of view of town-planning and architecture, for the facades of monumental buildings in Lower Silesia. For the first time this method was used in its Roman creations by Francesco Borromini. Hence, most often in the literature it appears under the Italian designation parete ondulata. Relatively quickly this technique became widespread in other European countries, in which non-Classical forms were being adopted, also in Lower Silesia. The convex-concave method of designing facades gave architects the possibility of creating attractive architecture and of designing sophisticated urban interiors that had a strong impact on the recipient.

The parete ondulata method was not assimilated into the local Silesian architecture. Most of the buildings that present such forms were built on the basis of designs prepared by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer and, in a reduced form, in several cases by Austrian architects active in Silesia (J. B. Peintner, Ch. Hackner). In cramped urban locations the parete ondulata technique provided the opportunity for making a stronger impression. However, in Silesia it was only applied in the facades of the Hatzfeld Palace and the University in WrocÅ‚aw and in small architectural forms such as portals built in 1715–1740. Nevertheless, these few works of monumental architecture in Lower Silesia erected with the use of this technique present themselves as an outstanding achievement on the European scale with individual local characteristics. Because of the people who designed them, they also show an affinity with Austrian and Bohemian architecture.

Key words: Baroque town planning, Baroque architecture, 17–18th century, Lower Silesia