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Arca di San Domenico

Arca di San Domenico is the tomb of Saint Dominic, who died in the convent he founded in Bologna. It is located in the basilica that bears his name in the city, specifically in the chapel dedicated to Saint Dominic, which opens onto the right-hand aisle. Its present appearance is the result of several interventions carried out over time. The monument is considered one of the most important works of art in Bologna and reflects the virtuosity of Nicola Pisano, Arnolfo di Cambio, Niccolò dell’Arca, Michelangelo Buonarroti, and Alfonso Lombardi.

Arca di San Domenico, a richly carved marble monument with figures and reliefs inside a church interior
The Arca di San Domenico, the ornate marble tomb of Saint Dominic, shown inside the church of San Domenico in Bologna.
May 2010 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Arca di San Domenico, a white marble monument with sculpted figures and relief scenes inside a church interior.
The Arca di San Domenico in the Basilica of San Domenico, with its ornate marble carvings and figures.
April 2012 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Arca di San Domenico inside a vaulted chapel, with a towering carved funerary monument, railings, and candelabras
The Arca di San Domenico shown in a vaulted interior, surrounded by railings, candelabras, and wall statues.
© · Public domain
Engraving of the Arca di San Domenico, a tall multi-tiered sculptural monument with carved figures, relief scenes, and a statue at the top.
The Arca di San Domenico shown in a detailed black-and-white engraving, with tiers of figures and narrative reliefs.
1900 © Incisore anonimo · Public domain
Intricate relief sculpture on the Arca di San Domenico, showing multiple carved figures around a Madonna and Child scene, with flowers in the foreground.
The Arca di San Domenico in Bologna, with carved narrative scenes and flowers placed in front of the monument.
April 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleArca di San Domenico
SubjectSaint Dominic of Guzmán, founder of the Dominican Order
Alternative titleLe sépulcre de saint Dominique
TypeFunerary monument / tomb / sarcophagus / shrine

Historical context

PurposeCreated as a new shrine for Saint Dominic because the earlier tomb was difficult for pilgrims to see
Commissioned byThe Dominicans
Commission date1264
Creation periodThe monument was built in stages and took almost 500 years to complete

Creator

Original designer and sculptorNicola Pisano
Workshop completionCompleted by Nicola Pisano's workshop assistants led by Lapo di Ricevuto
Later decorative sculptorNiccolò da Bari, known as Niccolò dell'Arca
Later sculptorMichelangelo Buonarroti
Later sculptorAlfonso Lombardi
Other associated artistsFra' Guglielmo; Arnolfo di Cambio; Girolamo Cortellini; J.-B. Boudard

Discovery and provenance

Relocation of remains in 1411The sarcophagus was moved from the middle of the church to the chapel dedicated to Saint Dominic
Relocation in 1411Moved to a chapel dedicated to Saint Dominic in the church
Main construction completion5 June 1267
Main construction startProbably 1264
Reason for replacementThe original small marble sarcophagus became inadequate for the growing number of pilgrims
Commission contextAfter his canonization by Pope Gregory IX in 1234 and the growth of the Dominican order, pilgrims increasingly visited the tomb
Initial translation of remainsIn 1233 his body was placed in a cypress coffin, enclosed in a simple marble sarcophagus, and moved to a side chapel in the church
Saint Dominic's death date6 August 1221
Saint Dominic's death placeBologna, in the convent he founded, now the Convent of San Domenico
Original burial placeBehind the altar of the small convent church of San Nicolò delle Vigne

Physical characteristics

Base formRectangular sarcophagus
Caryatid supportsOriginally supported by caryatid figures
Caryatid survivalThe original caryatids were later dispersed into museum collections
Current appearanceThe present appearance results from interventions carried out between the 13th and 18th centuries

Materials

Main materialMarble
Secondary materialCypress wood for the coffin

Technique

Decorative techniqueHigh-relief marble sculpture

Appearance

Alfonso Lombardi additionA predella with reliefs showing scenes from the life of Saint Dominic and the Adoration of the Magi
Later altar additionA relief of the death of Saint Dominic was added below the altar in 1768
Niccolò dell'Arca additionsAn architectural canopy and additional statues were added above the sarcophagus
Michelangelo additionsStatuettes of Saint Petronius, Saint Proculus, and an angel with a candelabrum
Medieval coreSix high-relief marble panels showing scenes from the life of Saint Dominic

Iconography and meaning

Narrative scenes from Nicola Pisano's workMiracle of the resurrection of Napoleon Orsini; trial by fire burning the books of the Albigensians; Saints Peter and Paul giving the Gospel to Saint Dominic; approval of the rule by Pope Innocent III; Reginald of Orléans joining the Order; the friars' meal served by angels
Michelangelo figure resemblanceSaint Proculus closely recalls the statue of David
Subject of later fresco in the chapelThe glory of Saint Dominic, showing his ascent to heaven

Location and ownership

1411 placementPlaced in the middle of the church
Museum locations of surviving caryatidsVictoria and Albert Museum, London; Musée du Louvre, Paris; Museo del Bargello, Florence; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Current chapel builderFloriano Ambrosini
Early placementAfter the 1233 translation, the remains were kept in a simple marble sarcophagus in a side chapel of the church
Original locationOriginally on the site of the former church of San Nicolò delle Vigne
Current locationChapel of Saint Dominic, Basilica of San Domenico, Bologna, Italy

History and restoration

Michelangelo intervention date1494-1495
Head reliquary locationThe reliquary with the saint's head is in a small chapel at the back of the tomb
18th-century placementIn the 18th century the whole tomb was placed on a marble altar
Chapel frescoGlory of Saint Dominic on the apse dome, painted by Guido Reni between 1613 and 1615
Chapel rebuildingThe present Chapel of Saint Dominic was rebuilt in 1597, replacing a small Gothic chapel built in 1413
Step additionIn 1532 Alfonso Lombardi added a step between the sarcophagus and the altar slab
PredellaExecuted by Alfonso Lombardi in 1532, with date and signature engraved in the middle part
Canopy installationNiccolò solemnly installed the canopy on the sarcophagus about four years after the contract
Missing statue of Saint PetroniusSaint Petronius was among the missing statues; it is uncertain whether it was damaged, remade, or finished before Niccolò's death
Subsequent design changesThe resurrected Christ was omitted from the rear face, and Saints Thomas and Vincent Ferrer were replaced by Saints Proculus and John the Baptist
Canopy unfinished at installationFive of the 21 planned statues and the predella were still missing
Canopy contractNiccolò dell'Arca was contracted to make the canopy and decorative top
Head reliquaryThe head is kept in a reliquary made by Jacopo Roseto da Bologna in 1383
Sarcophagus openingThe sarcophagus was opened to verify the relics and separate the saint's head
Exposure after church enlargementAfter the church was enlarged, the tomb was exposed to sun and rain and protected only by demolition debris
Original enclosureSurrounded by strong brick walls with a large stone fixed with cement on top

Significance

Artistic importanceOne of the most important works of art in Bologna
Artistic significanceThe monument preserves testimonies of several major artists and demonstrates their virtuosity

Other

Categories from sourceArches/tombs; funerary monuments; marble sculptures by Michelangelo; 13th-century sculptures in Italy; 15th-century sculptures in Italy; 16th-century sculptures in Italy; Bologna; sculptures dated 1494