View source for Lunette

{{Infobox Lunette2
|image=[[File:LunetteMap.jpg|200px]]
|totalnumber=71
|totalnumbermissing=0
|byzantinelunette=
|gothiclunette=
|renaissancelunette=
|purpose=Structural/Decorative
}}
''Lunette''  are decorative arches that span the tops of doorways and are a sub-set of [[Material Culture|material culture]].  Often accompanied by a matching [[Portals|portal]], lunette have a distinct semi-circular shape.  [[Reliefs]], [[Sculptures|sculptures]], paintings, or mosaics are often contained within an individual ''lunetta''.  Serving both functional and decorative purposes, lunette often bear part of the load of the wall in which they exist. Most lunette are found on [[:Category:Palaces|palaces]] and [[churches]]  because,   in general, only wealthy families and institutions could  afford them.
[[Image:figure21_renaissancelunetta.jpg|right|thumb|A Renaissance ''lunetta'']]
[[Image:figure19_byzantinelunetta.jpg|right|thumb|The most  important    Byzantine ''lunetta'' in Venice, at  the  entrance to the  Basilica di    San Marco]]
[[Image:figure20_gothiclunetta.jpg|right|thumb|A gothic ''lunetta'' with paint still present]]

<!--==Types==
The three most prominent styles of lunette in Venice are Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance.

===Byzantine===
Byzantine lunette constitute the oldest style of lunette in Venice.  Dating back to the 12th century, Byzantine lunette are distinguished by their dome shape and religious themes.  This style of lunette was often very elaborate and contained detailed paintings depicting religious scenes.  The most famous and prominent of these can be seen adorning the entryways to the [[Basilica di San Marco]].

===Gothic===
Dating from the 12th to 15th century, Gothic lunette are the second oldest style of lunette in Venice.  Like most gothic architecture, these lunette are distinguished by their pointed arches.  Gothic lunette are generally much larger than any other style and contain the most elaborate detail.  As with the Byzantine and Renaissance styles, the most popular images for Gothic lunette are religious in nature.

===Renaissance===
The last, and most recent, of the styles of Venetian lunette is the Renaissance style.  These lunette date from the 15th and 16th centuries, when the Renaissance was occurring across Europe.  Unlike their Byzantine and Gothic counterparts, Renaissance lunette are much simpler in their subject matter.  Often times Renaissance lunette consist of a sole image of a saint or the ''Madonna'', which is then surrounded with decoration.-->

==Statistics==
*The term ''lunette'' is derived from the Italian ''lunetta'', meaning "half-moon."
*78% of lunette contain [[reliefs]], 11% contain mosaics, 7% [[Sculptures|sculpture]], and 4% ''fresco.''
*The [[Lunetta: Castello GIOV|oldest lunetta]] is located in [[Castello]] and dates from 1237 AD.
*The [[Lunetta: Cannaregio 4274|most recent lunetta]] is located in [[Cannaregio]] and dates from 1932 AD.


[[Image:Lunettesubjectmatter.JPG]]
[[Image:Lunettesestiere.JPG‎]]
[[Image:Lunettematerial.JPG]]

==Damage and Preservation==
For general information pertaining to the sources of damage to Venetian lunnette, please see the [[Damage to public art]] page.

For general information pertaining to the restoration and preservation of Venetian lunnette, please see the [[Public art preservation|Restoration and preservation of public art]] page.

Specific information regarding the damage and restoration needs of each lunnetta can be found on the pages dedicated to each individual lunnetta, as listed in the map below and in the navigation box under the "See Also" section of this page.

{{Map Lunette}}

==See Also==
{{LunettesNav}}
{{PublicArtNav}}

==References==
*Rizzi, Alberto. "Scultura Esterna a Venezia." Stamperia di Venezia Editrice, 1987.
*[[Venice Project Center]]

==Bibliography==
*[http://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-122610-103308/ 2010 WPI PreserVenice Project Team]
*[http://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-122207-150125/ 2008 WPI PreserVenice Project Team]
*[http://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-122207-150125/ 2007 WPI PreserVenice Project Team]
*[http://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Scanned/00E050I 2000 WPI PreserVenice Project Team]

==External Links==
*[http://www.preservenice.org www.preservenice.org]
*[http://www.venice2point0.org www.venice2point0.org]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunette English Wikipedia article on lunette]

[[Category:Lunette]]
[[Category:Public Art]]
[[Category:Material Culture]]