Buscheto
Buscheto or Busketus (sometimes also Buschetto or Boschetto, early Latin writers also used Bruschettus, active in Pisa between 1063 and 1110) was an Italian architect. He designed the plans for Pisa's Cathedral Square (Piazza dei Miracoli) and thus created the distinct Pisan Romanesque design style used throughout the square. Buscheto had unitary vision fusing together architectural ideas of classical Rome, Byzantine, Arab, and Lombard Romanesque architectures, placing him amongst the best architects of the 11th and 12th centuries.
Buscheto | |
---|---|
Died | September 21 |
Resting place | Pisa Cathedral |
Other names | Busketus, Buschetto, Boschetto, Bruschettus |
Occupation | Architect |
Years active | 1063-1110 |
Buildings | Pisa Cathedral |
Very little is known about Buscheto; claims that he was a Greek from Dulichium are based on a misreading of the epitaph. Leopoldo Cicognara had assumed Buscheto's Italian origin based on his name, yet Leader Scott points out that this can be a nickname. Approaches utilized by the architect cannot be explained by local traditions (Pisa likely did not even have its own school of architecture before Buscheto). Buscheto's style suggests first-hand familiarity with Early Christian, Byzantine, and Islamic architecture.
Just two contemporary documents definitely identify Buscheto, as they identify him as one od the administrators (Operai) of the Pisa cathedral; one is dated December 2nd, 1104, another - April 2nd, 1110. Researchers think that he designed the cathedral and started its construction in 1063 while still being a young man, and continued work on the project into the 1100s.