Metalliche fragilità. La natura di ferro nel Liberty della costa Adriatica tra storia e conservazione

Carla Pancaldi1,

1 Dottoranda - Università La Sapienza - Roma, Dipartimento di Storia, Disegno e Restauro dell’Architettura, carlapancaldi@tiscali.it

ABSTRACT

The prosperity of the Adriatic coast towns is closely related to the construction of the railway line started in 1865. The new rail connections increased and facilitated trading, and prompted the expansion of the construction industry, both consequences of higher financial resources. In the most important touristic towns of the Adriatic coast, in a few years, buildings and small villas increased in number, mainly arranged in a network of streets running parallel to the coastal line. The new residence buildings show Italian Liberty architectural style in all its varieties, either with gardens and courtyards surrounded by wrought-iron gates with rich floral decorations; or with wide wrought-iron and glass main entrances. The initials of the owner family name, made in wrought-iron too, are visibly applied on the railings, sometimes regularly repeated with a decorative function, or on the front door. These products were hand-made with thin iron sheets by authentic artists that created the whole decorative setup, both in the architectural structure and in the interior furniture and decor. As a result there were living spaces elegantly framed by sinuous lines. Unfortunately, their historical and artistic value was underrated through the years after Art Nouveau period. Because of neglect and deterioration of iron due to corrosion in damp and saline environment, partial or complete replacement of iron and glass elements was usually accepted. Indeed even nowadays preservation of iron elements belonging to those Liberty style residences that escaped dismantling works in the 70’s, depends exclusively on the owner’s and local government awareness. These considerations aim at focusing on proper conservation solutions and their applicability on iron elements of Liberty style villas, as well as analysing structures and manufacturing techniques, thanks to the many technical and methodological possibilities given by preservation. These shall avoid inappropriate dismantling, replacement, invasive cleaning that would damage historic pictorial films, and covering coats of paint that prevent reading of the decorative elements shapes.

Key-words:

Italian Liberty style, Art Nouveau, Wrought-iron, Metallic Fragilities