ZANOIA, Giuseppe

(b. 1752 Genova, d. 1817 Omegna)

Italian architect. He is remembered for his Porta Nuova in Milan. He also collaborated on the Neogothic design of Milan’s Duomo.

A canon at Milan’s Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, he also taught at the Brera Academy. He was a friend of the Enlightenment poet Giuseppe Parini (1729-1799). From 1807, he was a member of the Ornato Commission appointed under Napoleon to redesign Milan.

In architecture, he mainly adopted the Neoclassical style as can be seen from his design for Milan’s Porta Nuova inspired by Rome’s Arch of Titus and completed in 1813. However, when working on the design of Milan Cathedral’s façade in 1805 under direct orders from Napoleon, his approach was Neogothic. The work was in fact completed by Carlo Amati (1776-1852) in 1813.

Other works included the Santa Savina altar in Sant’Ambrogio (1798), and extension of the Palazzo della Canonica (1802). He restored the church of Sant’Ambrogio in Stresa (1790) and was at work at the nearby Palazzo Borromeo (Isola Bella) (1795).

Exterior view

In early 19th century, when designing additions to existing buildings the prevailing doctrine was of matching to the existing style. The centuries old debate over a suitable style for the fa�ade of the Milan Cathedral was decided in the same way. An initiative deriving from the Emperor Napoleon to get the west front completed was carried out by Giuseppe Zanoia and his assistant Carlo Amati (1776-1852), based on designs by Felice Soave and Leopold Pollack. The screen of tracery left the 16th-century doorways and windows by Pellegrino Tibaldi intact, an approach which was soon criticised as illogical.

The photo shows the west front of the cathedral. The gable finials are by Giuseppe Brentano from 1888.

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General view

The Porta Nuova was inspired by Rome’s Arch of Titus.

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