THE CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA DEL CARMINE FUNCTIONED AS A THEATRICAL SPACE IN FLORENCE OF THE REPUBLICAN PERIOD UNDER THE RULE OF THE MEDICI (1434-94)

Abstract

In Florence of the republican period under the rule of the Medici the religious plays were performed in the church of Santa Maria del Carmine many more times than in any other churches. The purpose of this report is to clarify how the church functioned as a theatrical space. In this thesis, the specific characteristics of the church are analyzed on the following three points; 1) the adaptation of space by a particular wall called tramezzo. 2) the social relationship between the confraternity and its neighborhood. 3) the economical supports from the government and the patronage of the Medici.