What Does Intarsia Say? Materiality and Spirituality in the Urbino Studiolo ☆

Abstract Upon entering the Urbino studiolo of Federico da Montefeltro, the visitor is struck by a material‐charged environment. Surprisingly, only a few scholars have addressed one prominent aspect of the decorative scheme, namely, the feature of intarsia as a medium. Even so, it remains on the sidelines of the discussion. This study aims to unravel the spiritual and material significance entailed in this form of wood inlaying. Specifically, I demonstrate that the intarsia in the studiolo fully shared, in terms of material and motifs, the visual language widespread in ecclesial settings. Intarsia was apparently crafted to create a space infused with spiritual meaning within the secular palace of Federico da Montefeltro on account of its power to evoke a contemplative atmosphere. This understanding serves as a basis for elaborating and refining the interpretation of the city featuring at the centre of the eastern wall – the focal point of the studiolo . A close examination reveals the specific visual tradition that informed this representation, which functions as the destination of the intarsia‐encrusted path within the palace, forging a trail toward spiritual progression.