Abstracts
Abstract
In his program for reforming Florence Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola not only staged his famous “Bonfires of the Vanities,” but also directed his congregations to increase their alms giving, specifically for the “shamefaced poor,” respectable families in need but ashamed to beg. Not allowed by his order to administer such funds directly, Savonarola instructed that they be deposited with the Buonomini di San Martino, a confraternity specifically devoted to relieving the “shamefaced poor.” With these responsible middlemen in place, Savonarola would thus avoid any charges of financial impropriety. The alms collectors during Carnival seasons 1496 to 1498 were Savonarola’s fanciulli, youths reformed of their Carnival hijinks. The ceremonial depositing of alms at the oratory in Piazza San Martino would achieve a secondary goal for Savonarola, the sanctification of a profane performance space, the piazza being a prime venue for “bench singers” and other popular entertainers.
Résumé
Dans son programme de réforme de Florence, le frère dominicain Jérôme Savonarole a non seulement organisé son célèbre « bûcher des vanités », mais il a également enjoint les fidèles réunis autour de lui à augmenter leurs aumônes, en particulier pour les « pauvres honteux », de respectables familles réduites à la misère mais ayant honte de mendier. N’étant pas autorisé par son ordre à administrer directement ces fonds, Savonarole ordonna qu’ils soient déposés chez les Buonomini di San Martino, une confrérie spécifiquement vouée au secours des « pauvres honteux ». Ces intermédiaires en place, Savonarole éviterait ainsi toute accusation de malversations financières. Les collecteurs d’aumônes durant les périodes de carnaval de 1496 à 1498 étaient les fanciulli de Savonarole, des jeunes hommes repentis de leurs frasques de carnaval. Le dépôt cérémoniel des aumônes à l’oratoire de la Piazza San Martino permettrait à Savonarole d’atteindre un objectif secondaire, la sanctification d’un espace de représentation profane, la Piazza étant un lieu privilégié pour les chanteurs de moindre talent et autres artistes populaires.
Appendices
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