CAGNOLA, Luigi
(b. 1762, Milano, d. 1833, Inverigo)

General view

1801-14
Photo
Porta Ticinese, Milan

Napoleon's triumphal re-entry after the victory over the coalition army in the Battle of Marengo in 1800 was celebrated inn MIlan with a triumphal arch of the classical type, the Porta Ticinese. It was built 1801-14, even before the arches in the French capital, to a design by Luigi Cagnola, and demonstrated a programmatic adoption of classical Roman features.

Despite the grand dimensions, the arch structure with its slender Ionic columns enclosed between antae piers looks open and airy. The tall round-arched openings in the side walls and pediment on top betray the influence of Palladio.