Page - 363 - in Jacopo Strada and Cultural Patronage at the Imperial Court - The Antique as Innovation, Volume 1

363Projects for Emperor Ferdinand i heavily rusticated quoins on the exterior of the Stallburg, this highly refined, ‘abbreviated’ use of the classical orders in shallow relief points to Rome in the High Renaissance, and the early work of Giulio Romano in particular, such as the Palazzo Alberini and the Palazzo Stati-Maccarani [Fig. 6.33], as well as to Giulio’s work in Mantua, such as the side-facade of the Basilica of San Bene- detto in Polirone [Fig. 6.34] or the garden facade of the Palazzo del Te.37 The foregoing examples are not intended to identify the particular models actually and consciously used in preparing these designs of the Stallburg— they are too generic for such a purpose—but to sketch the artistic context in which these designs were conceived. Some of these examples and other simi- lar instances—such as the illustrations in Serlio’s first five books—could be known to, and have been used by, at least some of the architects active at the Imperial court even before Strada’s arrival. For others, in particular the unpub- lished books of Serlio and the architectural designs of Giulio Romano, that is much less likely. Each of the several elements adduced here to stress the ad- vanced, Italianate and classical character of the Stallburg might perhaps have been conceived by any of the local architects; but to find so many of these elements harmoniously combined in one building that can be considered as a competent, elegant and satisfying example of Renaissance design—though hardly as great architecture—strongly suggests that Strada had a hand in its conception. When in 1577 it turned out that the roofs of the Stallburg were already ruin- ous, the Hofkammer thought it reasonable that the responsible ‘ Superintendent, Paumaister und Werckleute’ should be made to reimburse from their own 37 GIULIO ROMANO 1987, p. 97–133 and 294–296. For a careful analysis of the Palazzo Stati- Maccarani, see Rakatansky 2014. Figure 6.33 Giulio Romano, Palazzo Stati-Maccarani, Rome. Figure 6.34 Giulio Romano, Basilica of San Benedetto in Polirone, side-facade.