VAULT OF THE MILAN CATHEDRAL ULTRA UNLINED HARDCOVER JOURNAL

With its intricate flying buttresses and ornate religious sculptures, the Duomo di Milano represents the pinnacle of Italian Gothic architecture. Telling a story of faith and art that spans centuries, the cathedral is truly a must-see among the many sights to visit in the city of Milan.

Construction for the Duomo began in 1386. It became a central location for lively discussions of creative ideas, as architects, spiritual leaders and trade workers shared ideas and inspirations for the cathedral’s design. In the end, hundreds of designers contributed, the result being an entirely unique piece of architecture that merges influences from across the centuries.

In the 19th century, many architects submitted design proposals for the cathedral’s latest renovations, each with their own unique vision. The drawing recreated here is part of a series proposed by the architect Paolo Cesa Bianchi for the decoration of the interior vaults of the Cathedral. In 1881, Cesa Bianchi was named the engineer-architect of the Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano, a position he held until 1912.

This submission by Cesa Bianchi centres around the use of arabesques, which create a sense of a faux relief arborescence over a golden background. The upward facing arrangement symbolizes a closeness to heaven. 

The proposals of architects like Cesa Bianchi are now carefully preserved in the Archive of the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, an organization that has been safeguarding and restoring the Duomo di Milano since 1387. Thanks to their work preserving the history of the cathedral, we can discover the unfinished works and inspirations of architects both past and present, and imagine the various versions of the cathedral that were never completed. 

• Ultra format (180mm x 230mm)
• 144 unruled pages
• 120gsm acid-free sustainable forest paper
• High ink opacity
• 100% recycled binder boards
• Durable smyth-sewn binding
• Magnetic wrap closure
• Ribbon marker
• Memento pouch