underwent a modernization. This was undertaken not only to repair dam-
ages but in many cases to adapt the works to the requirements of new
locations or new aesthetic criteria and rules (Filippini 1992; Gardner von
Te uffel 1983). In such cases, significant structural modifications occurred
to the wooden supports and to the frames.
In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the supports became
more sober in design, evolving toward a simple panel composed of various
boards inserted in a separate frame. The ground layer also became simpler
(see following section).
Usually, the construction of the wooden support was the respon-
sibility of a specialized artisan (thelegnaiolo), who could work indepen-
dently of the artist and could even prepare a support according to a client’s
specifications before the artist was chosen (Bernacchioni 1992). However,
especially in the case of the earlier, more complex panel paintings, close
cooperation must have existed with the artist, who probably gave the car-112 Uzielli
Table 1 Wood species mentioned by Cennino Cennini in the Libro dell’arte. Sour ces: English
names (as translated by Thompson); page and chapter where the species is mentioned
(Cennini 1994); Italian names in Cennini’s original text; and the most likely scientific
names (Giordano 1988; Schweingruber 1990), according to the judgment of the
present author.Thompson’s Italian name in
translation Page Chapter Cennini’s text Latin name
Box 4 5 bosso Buxus sempervirensL.
Brooma 87 142 scopa Erica scopariaL.
Chestnut 41 64 castagno Castanea sativaMill.
Fig 4 6 figàro Ficus carica L.
Linden 69 113 tiglio Tilia cordata Mill.
id. 87 141 id. id.
Male oak 118 174 rovere Quercus sp.
Maple 41 64 àrgiere Acer pseudoplatanus L.
Nutb 61 97 noceb Juglans regia L.
id. 110 170 id. id.
id. 116 173 id. id.
Oak 118 174 quercia Quercus sp.
Pear 61 97 pero Pyrus communis L.
id. 116 173 id. id.
Plum 61 97 susino Prunus domestica L.
Poplar 69 113 arberoc Populus alba L.
id. 87 141 alberoc id.
Whitewood 69 113 povolarec id.
Willow 19 33 saligàro Salix sp.
id. 69 113 id. id.
id. 110 170 id. id.
a“Broom,” rather than “birch,” is most likely the correct English translation for the species cited by Cennino.
bThe correct English name for noceis walnut.
cBoth albero(or arbero) and povolaremeant poplar; the current Italian common name for Populus alba is gattice.