Hermes Balducci. Lo studio dell’architettura medievale e il caso della basilica di San Colombano a Bobbio

Hermes Balducci (1904-1938) is an interesting figure of researcher active in the study of architectural heritage. His university education follows a precise path aimed at obtaining a vast scientific and technical preparation for the profession of engineer. At the University of Pavia he earned a degree in Chemistry (also attending all the preparatory courses for the enrollment in engineering, including Ornate and Architecture Drawing held by Sebastiano Giuseppe Locati) and Chemistry and Pharmacy. In 1928 he graduated as Civil Engineer at the Polytechnic of Milan. In 1930 he became a tenured assistant in Pavia and in 1935 he succeeded Locati in teaching; in parallel, until his premature death, he carried out an intense research activity between Italy and the Dodecanese islands. His studies on medieval architecture are carried out through a careful documentary, bibliographical, and iconographic investigation, but – above all – on direct knowledge of the architectural artefact. The article reconstructs Balducci’s research activity, with particular reference to his studies on the Basilica of San Colombano in Bobbio.