15th c. monumental door restored at Louvre

"The Stanga Palace door, a masterpiece of the Lombard Renaissance architecture now in the Louvre, has been restored, stripping it of a brown layer that obscured its decorative details and original accents. It is now much more readable, thanks also to a new lighting system that enhances the depth of the reliefs. It was built in 1490 for the Palazzo Stanga di Castelnuovo in Cremona, a massive structure over 23 feet high inspired by the triumphal arches of antiquity."

"It is decorated with mythological iconography, primarily scenes and characters from the stories of Hercules and Perseus. Under the half columns are depictions of four of the Labors of Hercules Antaeus, the Lernaean Hydra, the Nemean Lion, and the Stymphalian Birds. The seven heads of the Hydra are figures in a medallion in the center of the portal. The three heads of the Gorgons and the head of Pegasus are in a medallion on the right."

"The design is attributed to Milanese sculptor Giovanni Pietro da Rho who was active in Cremona between 1480 and 1508. First built by Marquis Cristoforo Stanga, faithful adherent of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the first duke of Milan, in the early 18th century it was bought by Scipione I de' Rossi, who restructured the palace in Baroque style. In 1870, the palace was sold to an engineer who completely rebuilt the facade, dismantling da Rho's monumental portal."

The Stanga Palace door is a large Lombard Renaissance portal built in 1490 for the Palazzo Stanga di Castelnuovo in Cremona, inspired by ancient triumphal arches. The portal features mythological iconography centered on Hercules and Perseus, including four Labors beneath half columns, medallions with the Hydra, Gorgons, and Pegasus, and flanking figures of Hercules and Perseus. The entablature contains battle reliefs and Roman imperial busts amid scrolling foliage and fantastical animals. The design is attributed to Giovanni Pietro da Rho. The door was removed in the 19th century, entered the Louvre in 1877, and has been recently conserved and relit to reveal details.

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