Abstract
The article focuses on the structure and semantic analysis of figurative reliefs in the façade decoration of the Bologna palazzo del Podestà (13th – 15th c.), which was rebuilt in Renaissance style in the epoch of Giovanni II Bentivoglio (ruled in 1463–1506) and presents an important example of Quattrocento palace architecture in the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna. The problem of the palace reconstructions makes it necessary to look at its decoration in the broader context of 15th century secular buildings in Bologna and Emilia Romagna. Consequently, firstly, three groups of reliefs are discerned (prevailing floral reliefs, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic reliefs, reliefs on historical subject). Secondly, the “retrospective” character of many elements concerned seems obvious and may be explained as inspired by local as well as tramontane Romanesque decorative tradition. Thirdly, semantic interpretation in the historical context of Bologna is accepted as applicable not only to the reliefs on historical subject here, but also to other carvings.
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