Carlo Maciachini

Carlo Francesco Maciachini (; sometimes spelled Maciacchini; 2 April 1818 – 10 June 1899) was an Italian architect and restorer. Born near Varese, he studied in Milan, where he also realized some of his most important works, most notably the Monumental Cemetery. Other notable works of Maciachini are restorations of historic churches in several cities of northern Italy.

Along with Camillo Boito, Luca Beltrami, and Luigi Broggi, Maciachini is one of the prominent representatives of the eclectic period of Milanese architecture, sometimes referred to as "Milanese Eclecticism" (approx. 1860–1920).

Biography

Maciachini was born in Induno Olona, in the Province of Varese (Lombardy), to a farmers family. As a young boy, he proved to be a talented wood carver, working as an apprentice in local woodworking shops. At the age of 20, he moved to Milan to become an art student at the Brera Academy, where eventually graduated in architecture, at the same time earning a great popularity in the Milanese high society as a carver and decorator. This predilection for "pagan" (possibly esoteric) symbols has aroused a number of theories alleging that Maciachini was an affiliate of some sort of secret organisation, such as a Freemasonry society.

Notable works San Spiridione (Trieste, 1859) Cimitero Monumentale di Milano (Milan, 1866) Facade of Santa Maria in Strada (Monza, 1870) Facade of San Simpliciano (Milan, 1870) Facade of the San Marco (Milan, 1871) Facade of Santa Maria del Carmine (Milan, 1880) Facade of the Duomo di Voghera (Voghera, 1881) Restoration and dome of Santa Maria Assunta (Soncino, 1883–1888) Dome of the Pavia Cathedral (Pavia, 1885) Facade of Santa Maria di Piazza(Busto Arsizio (1886-1889)

Footnotes

Gallery