Genoa, the case of the San Lorenzo dog hoax breaks out
Genoa – The debate on the famous “dog of the cathedral of San Lorenzo” is inflamed after the externalizations of Giacomo Montanari, historian and researcher of Genoese art and scientific director of the Rolli Days. The researcher has in fact misunderstood the metropolitan legend, handed down for centuries, according to which the little dog carved in the stone of one of the columns of the cathedral of San Lorenzo, a symbolic monument of the city, was made by a master stonemason saddened by the death of his dog.
“For years – now – writes Montanari on the Facebook page” Genoa is Culture “- we have all been absorbed by groups, small groups, small groups on social networks or even by self-styled” cultural associations “and even (alas) by those who profess to be” tourist guides “Or the depositary of the” secrets “of the city the BUFFALO of the” little dog of the sculptor of the Cathedral “.
“The poor beast – explains Montanari – depicted in high relief, in the marble of the facade of San Lorenzo, according to the most stubborn version (but there are several) would have died during the works and the artist should therefore eternally lodge him in the stone. Too bad that, a few steps from the Cathedral, in what was once the cloister of the convent of Sant’Andrea, now rebuilt near the Porta Soprana, there is a little dog of identity. Ohibo! Was the mortality rate of dogs (and of the dogs of the very affectionate sculptors) so high? “.
The Genoese scholar tries to clarify the “mystery” with a simpler explanation
“The zoomorphic, anthropomorphic and phytomorphic representations – he writes – especially if they are imaginative and bizarre, are typical of 13th century art. Nothing strange, therefore, to find capitals and corbels in the shape of little dogs and so on. You will tell me … and why are you so angry?
Montanari gets angry because he explains that “by dint of telling this (false) story, today the little dog is really dying, erased from the hands of the idiots who caress him to say” I found it! ” or because it “brings good”.
“An irreparable damage – continues the scholar – that the bad disclosure of many who believe themselves” scholars “or marketing geniuses have and must on their conscience”.
Montanari’s utterances have aroused quite a few “stomach ache”, especially among fans of legends and stories related to the city of Genoa.
The “story” of the stone dog has been told since time immemorial and it is hard to accept that it is a hoax.
All agree, however, on the appeal not to touch the little dog that is disappearing due to the usury and insensitivity of those who should provide.
There are those who propose to install a “reliquary” to protect the small figure and those who instead suggest modifying the story by insinuating it is bad luck to touch it.
The debate on the issue continues on social networks