Scholarlink

<p>The recent discovery of mathematical treatises on inscribing ovals in rectangles, that is, drawing ovals of given axis lengths, has led the author to list the various constructions used to solve this problem. When no constraints are given, polycentric ovals are easy to draw, as documented in the literature. Ellipses of given axis lengths can on the other hand be drawn, but no so precisely. And they have, compared to ovals, a series of disadvantages. Examining the listed constructions could provide insight into Borromini’s approach to designing the oval impost in the Church of San Carlino in Rome, the shape of which was determined through research based on the 1999 survey. The comparison presented here between this shape and those appearing in the Bibliotheca Albertina drawings in Vienna raises questions about why the latter were drawn as a derivation of the ground floor geometry, despite this having been proven incorrect.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Ovals Inscribed in a Given Rectangle: Analysis of the Dome Impost in San Carlino, Rome

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月23日

查看全文
  • Angelo Alessandro Mazzotti

摘要

The recent discovery of mathematical treatises on inscribing ovals in rectangles, that is, drawing ovals of given axis lengths, has led the author to list the various constructions used to solve this problem. When no constraints are given, polycentric ovals are easy to draw, as documented in the literature. Ellipses of given axis lengths can on the other hand be drawn, but no so precisely. And they have, compared to ovals, a series of disadvantages. Examining the listed constructions could provide insight into Borromini’s approach to designing the oval impost in the Church of San Carlino in Rome, the shape of which was determined through research based on the 1999 survey. The comparison presented here between this shape and those appearing in the Bibliotheca Albertina drawings in Vienna raises questions about why the latter were drawn as a derivation of the ground floor geometry, despite this having been proven incorrect.