284
A controversy ensued among the local architects as well. In June 1881, Achille
Grimaldi sent Carlo Caraffa two proposals for the Monument, faithfully inspired by
Tacchini’s sketch as already mentioned (Figs. 17.2 and 17.3).
15
The next day, Pio
Casoli, an architect whom Levi knew and trusted (he had made a monumental villa
for Levi in Reggio in 1878), wrote to Caraffa complaining of being “knocked down”
and asking that there be an international competition of proposals for the
Monument.
16
In the meantime, other firms besides Merz were being solicited for building the
large equatorial.
17
The Committee received competitive tenders from American firm
Alvan Clark & Sons (later builder of the Yerkes refractor, the largest astronomical
refractor ever made) and the French Henry brothers (who built the Meudon
15 A. Grimaldi to C. Caraffa, Reggio Emilia Jun 17, 1881 (BPRe, Manoscritti Reggiani c. 145); two
pairs of period photos of the two projects are in BPRe, Fotografie, Bib. 91, colloc. 39278, 39279
and 15645, 15646. The first two photos carry the pen lettering, respectively: “Project of the
A. Secchi monumental observatory made for the illustrious astronomer P. Tacchini (1881)” and
“Another project of the Secchi monumental observatory.” Two more period photos of the same
projects, albeit slightly dissimilar, are in ASRe-MS (Figs. 17.2 and 17.3).
16 P. Casoli to C. Caraffa, Reggio Emilia Jun 18, 1881 (BPRe).
17 U. Levi to S. Merz, Reggio Emilia Nov 8, 1883 (ASRe-MS).
Fig. 17.2 Original photograph of one of the two proposals for the Secchi Monument made by
architect Achille Grimaldi shows the dedication “to the noble Commendatore Ulderico Levi, homage of the Arch. Achille Grimaldi”. (ASRe-MS, on authorization No. 541.X.1, 12/04/2019 by the
Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities; any reproduction is prohibited)
F. Bònoli and A. Mandrino
A controversy ensued among the local architects as well. In June 1881, Achille
Grimaldi sent Carlo Caraffa two proposals for the Monument, faithfully inspired by
Tacchini’s sketch as already mentioned (Figs. 17.2 and 17.3).
15
The next day, Pio
Casoli, an architect whom Levi knew and trusted (he had made a monumental villa
for Levi in Reggio in 1878), wrote to Caraffa complaining of being “knocked down”
and asking that there be an international competition of proposals for the
Monument.
16
In the meantime, other firms besides Merz were being solicited for building the
large equatorial.
17
The Committee received competitive tenders from American firm
Alvan Clark & Sons (later builder of the Yerkes refractor, the largest astronomical
refractor ever made) and the French Henry brothers (who built the Meudon
15 A. Grimaldi to C. Caraffa, Reggio Emilia Jun 17, 1881 (BPRe, Manoscritti Reggiani c. 145); two
pairs of period photos of the two projects are in BPRe, Fotografie, Bib. 91, colloc. 39278, 39279
and 15645, 15646. The first two photos carry the pen lettering, respectively: “Project of the
A. Secchi monumental observatory made for the illustrious astronomer P. Tacchini (1881)” and
“Another project of the Secchi monumental observatory.” Two more period photos of the same
projects, albeit slightly dissimilar, are in ASRe-MS (Figs. 17.2 and 17.3).
16 P. Casoli to C. Caraffa, Reggio Emilia Jun 18, 1881 (BPRe).
17 U. Levi to S. Merz, Reggio Emilia Nov 8, 1883 (ASRe-MS).
Fig. 17.2 Original photograph of one of the two proposals for the Secchi Monument made by
architect Achille Grimaldi shows the dedication “to the noble Commendatore Ulderico Levi, homage of the Arch. Achille Grimaldi”. (ASRe-MS, on authorization No. 541.X.1, 12/04/2019 by the
Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities; any reproduction is prohibited)
F. Bònoli and A. Mandrino