1. Zarbula’s
Sundials
Roger Bailey &
Alain Ferreira
NASS 2005
Chicago

2. Sundials in France Hautes-Alpes 772
Distribution by Département
Hautes-Alpes 772
Highest sundial density in the world!
Ref:

3. Why Hautes-Alpes? Alpine folk art traditions
Insolation: 330 days of sunshine
Isolation from politics and progress
Travel over the passes not down the valleys
Transhumance- summer alps, winter Piedmont
Independent Republics
Five “Escartons de Briançonnais”
from 1343 until 1713 and 1789
Itinerants: shepherds and tradesmen

4. Alpine Sundials Bavaria Austria Tyrol France Italy Engadine ZARBULA
ZONE
Italy

5. Sundials of Giovanni Francesco ZARBULA

6. Who was Giovanni Francesco Zarbula?
We only know his name and his works
Itinerant Italian painter
Piedmont to Hautes Alpes
Only tools, materials and techniques that could be carried by a donkey
Speciality: bold flamboyant vertical declining sundials
Distinctive folk art style
Accurate gnomonic method
Long lasting fresco paintings

7. Zarbula’s Style Baroque Italian Folk Art
Equinoctial Line
Birds and Flowers
Frame, curtains, tassels
Sun and crescent moon
Symbols: Masonic and Religious
Mottos: Latin, French, Italian, Provencal
Signed: GFZ or ZGF
Dated: 1830 – 1876
Maljasset, Ubaye, 1860

8. ZARBULA
ZONE

9. 95 Zarbula sundials 26 ORIGINALS 11 WITH ZARBULA’s DRAWINGS
36 RESTORED
23 PHOTOS FROM ORIGINALS
33 LOST
5 PHOTOS OR DRAWINGS OF THOSE LOST
5 DUBIOUS
8 DUPLICATES OR COMPLEMENTARY

10. NORTH ZARBULA ZONE Latitude 45º 2 VALLOIRE Italy, Piedmont
Zone Val Chisone
20 sundials
VALLEE
DE LA
CLAREE 4
ZONE
BRIANCON 29
Latitude 45º
VALLOUISE 4

11. ZARBULA’ s Method Discovered by Paul Gagnaire,
From the Valloire sundial,
at Les Verneys en Savoie.
Ref : Cadrans solaires en Savoie, 1999 by P.Gagnaire. Page : A Valloire, Solved mystery.
L’Equere et L’Oiseau ou L’Art et La Maniere de ZARBULA by P.Gagnaire.
2000 Cadran Info SaF

12. ZARBULA’ s Method
Les Verneys en Savoie.
Drawing by P.Gagnaire

13. Zarbula’s Construction Lines
6 o’clock
Horizontal
Equatorial
Noon
Equatorial
Circle

15. Zarbula’s Method: The Sun Rules!
Zarbula did not need to know the latitude or wall declination to define the dial.
The shadow determined the sub-style line
Zarbula used no calculations or tables.
Simple geometry determined the hour lines.
Zarbula worked at the latitude of 45°
None of the sundials are oriented North.
The wall is vertical and declining from south.
Zarbula already knew the sundial’s size and location on the wall.

16. Principle 1: Horizontal Equivalence
Any Vertical Declining sundial has a equivalent horizontal sundial at in the southern hemisphere at a different latitude
Determine the sub-style distance and sub-style height for the polar axis
Lay out the hourlines for the horizontal equivalent

17. He draws the vertical noon line XII and marks the centre C
He drives in a horizontal style at C
perpendicular to the wall
XII
Zarbula’s Method

18. Principle 2: Indian or Hindu Circle for Sub-style
XII C
Zarbula draws point by point a
hyperbolic declination line,
representing of the path of the
tip of the shadow.

19. Zarbula draws the sub-style, the axis of symmetry of the dial
Zarbula’s Method C S
P 2
P 1
XII

20. Zarbula’s Method
Center of sundial C S
SUB-STYLE
NOON LINE XII
XII

21. S M
45°
Zarbula’s Method
45°
M ’
The perpendicular gnomon gives the shadow path to set the sub-style line. For the actual dial, polar style is from the intersection of the noon meridian and the same sub-style line. C

22. Principle 3: Rotation of the Meridian Plane
Meridian plane shows the Latitude , Co-Latitude, Polar style and Equatorial true size
Rotation of the Meridian plane about the Meridian axis to the Sub-style, perpendicular to the wall, shows the Substyle Height
Rotation defines the Equatorial Horizon plane
Polar Style
Co-Lat
Lat
Equatorial
Noon

23. M C
Zarbula’s Method
Noon to equinox
45°
45°
Define the Equatorial Horizon by rotating the meridian plane and the latitude angle around the vertical Meridian axis

24. Zarbula’s Method C
45°
He draws a horizontal line
Horizon
45°
45° M S

25. Zarbula’s Method C Horizon
45°
Equatorial
Horizon
45°
He draws an equatorial line perpendicular to the sub-style line M S

26. Zarbula’s Method
He draws the 6 o’clock (18h) line to the equatorial horizon C
Horizon
18h
Equatorial M S

27. Zarbula’s Method C If it’s morning declining, he draws the 6 am line
Equatorial 6h
Horizon M

28. Zarbula’s Method Example Chicago = 42°
Generalised method for different latitudes
Zarbula’s Method C
48°
18h
Example Chicago = 42°
Equatorial
42°
Horizontal line M S

29. ? ? ? Zarbula’s Method C Horizon EquatorialW ? O ?
Equatorial
Zarbula draws the center W of an auxiliary equatorial M S

30. Vertical méridional sundial Villevieille church, Queyras
Principle 4: Always 90º between noon and 6 o’clock
Vertical méridional sundial Villevieille church, Queyras

31. Zarbula’s Method C Horizontal line
Starting from auxiliary equatorial centre W, he draws the 15° angles to the equatorial line R
12h
Sub-Style Height is RW, radius of the auxiliary equatorial circle
Equatorial M W S

32. Zarbula’s Method C
The intersections are numbered in sequence from noon to 18 o clock
11h
14h
16h
15h
13h
10h
19h
17h 9h
Horizon line
18h
12h
Equatorial M W S

33. Zarbula’s Method
The only thing left is to draw the hours lines from C point... C
Horizon line
19h
18h
17h
16h
15h
14h
13h
11h
10h M
Equatorial S 9h

34. Zarbula’s Method
Installation of the Polar Style (Gnomon) above the Sub-Style Line C
Horizontal Line
19h
18h
17h
16h
15h
14h
13h
Sub-Style Height is the
Radius of the auxillary equatorial circle
11h
10h M
Equatorial S 9h

35. Principles of Zarbula’s Method
Horizontal Equivalence of Vertical Decliner
Indian (Hindu) Circle for sub-style line
Meridian plane contains Latitude true size
Rotate Meridian plane to establish Horizon plane Equatorial line and 6 o’clock line
90º between Noon and 6 o’clock
Equatorial Tangent line for hour lines and Sub-style Height
The geometry is correct; the method is accurate, within some limitations

36. Test of Zarbula’s Method
1. Sub-style line
Latitude: 48.6º N
Declination: 58º E
Shadow Path for 14 June

37. Test of Zarbula’s Method
2. Equatorial Tangent Line
DeltaCAD design drawing
using Zarbula’s Method
gives identical results to trig calculations

38. Zarbula’s Tools Sticks and String
ruler, straight edge
set square 45º & 90º
compass, dividers
gnomon
String
plumb bob
chalk line
compass

39. Zarbula’s Painting Fresco technique on parged masonry walls
Mineral oxide pigments on fresh lime mortar
No organic materials
Weather and sun resistant
Quick bold strokes

40. Pigments : Ochre de Provence
Ochre (iron oxides) for yellow orange &, red.
black soot, zinc oxide white, cobalt blue, copper greens Sienne earths.

41. ZONE ZARBULA South
QUEYRAS
38 sundials
UBAYE 2
LES ORRES 1
LES TANCS 1

42. Château Queyras

43. QUEYRAS 3 4 1 7 12 2 7 2 CERVIERES ABRIES ARVIEUX LES ESCOYERES
CHÂTEAU QUEYRAS 12
AIGUILLES 1
MOLINES 2
SAINT VERAN 7
EYGLIERS 2

44. First Known Zarbula Dial
Queyras, Arvieux, le Coin

46. 1832 QUEYRAS
Arvieux, Les Escoyères

47. VI
HORIZON
EQUATORIAL

48. Original Restored
by Evelyne and
Norbert Peyrot 2000
1839 Cervières,
Customs Office

50. 18?? QUEYRAS
Château Villevieille
Clot du Riou

51. 1840 - Zarbula’s Miracle Year
Twelve Zarbula dials dated 1840
Eight Queyras (6-St. Veran, 2-Chateau)
Two Vallouise,
Two Briançonnais (Clarée, Salle les Alpes)
1830 to 1839 only six Zarbula dials
Apprenticeship done, artistic style set
Breakthrough commission?
Vallouise, Bardonnèche

52. Vallouise 1840 Zarbula’s breakthrough commission
Home of Françoise Ponce,Viscountess de Bardonnèche
Zarbula’s techniques and style established
Restored in 1991 by Pique & Bachet of Atelier Tournesol, Grenoble

53. St Véran at 2040 m The Highest village in Europe
31 Sundials, 7 by Zarbula

54. 1840
Saint Véran
Haut Forannes

56. 1840 Saint Véran
Mathieu Romain farm

58. 1840
Saint Véran
Le Raux

59. 1840: Saint Véran Forannes

61. 1840: Saint Véran
Pierre Belle

62. 1858 St Véran Pierre Belle Gite Gabelous
Restored in 1995 by Rémi Potey

63. Queyras, Arvieux
Les Escoyères,

64. Les Escoyères chapel dial
1857 Original
Les Escoyères chapel dial

65. Suzon Con
With Susan
Restored by Rémi Potey

66. 1861 Eygliers, Le Cros Guillestre
Rose Marble
Complementary
corner dial lost

67. Briançon Hautes Alpes The highest city in Europe
Crossroads for Alpine pass
Vauban fortress near Italian border
1719 dial on Collégiale Notre-Dame

68. Most Zarbula sundials are in the surrounding alpine villages
1876: Briançon
Place d’Armes
Most Zarbula sundials are in the surrounding alpine villages
1876: Briançon, Place d’Armes
Zarbula?

69. Restored by
E & N Peyrot
1842: Briancon, Puy St Pierre, Le Pinet

70. 1843: Clarée, Val des Prés

71. 1869 : Vallouise
Le Villard
St Sébastien
1869 : Vallouise
Le Villard
St Sébastien

72. 1869 : Vallouise, Le Villard, St Sébastien

73. Zarbula dials and paintings restored in 1997
by Atelier Tournesol, Pique & Bachet

74. PM dial is almost south facing
1869: Le Villard Vallouise
PM dial is almost south facing
6 o’clock line is off the dial
“Don’t rely on the first
as all depends on the last”

75. Morning dial is close to east facing.
Zarbula’s normal method does not work

76. Black Madonna Zarbula’s Painting of the “I am black,
but comely, O ye daughters
of Jerusalem”
Song of Solomon, 1:5

77. ZONE ZARBULA EAST Italy, Piedmont Val Chisone USSEAUX 1 PRAGELATO 5
TRAVERSES 2
Italy, Piedmont
Val Chisone
SESTRIERE 6

78. Turin Olympics 2006
Val Chisone

79. 1870 : Sestriere, Champlas du Col, via Nationale

80. Close the shutter...

81. “I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem”

82. 1872
Sestriere
Borgata,

83. 1872 : Sestriere, Borgata,

84. 14 via Colle de Sestriere Restoration? Sestriere, Borgata
1872 : Zarbula Original
Sestriere, Borgata
1872 Sestriere, Borgata
14 via
Colle de
Sestriere

85. 1872 Sestriere, Borgata
12A via Colle de Sestriere
1872 Sestriere, Borgata 12A

86. Sundial Entropy Lost Zarbula’s
Paints wash away
Grime obscures
Parging spalls
Gnomons bend and break
Walls crack and fall
Renovation and development destroy
Fires, floods, avalanches

87. 1853 : Saint Martin de Queyrières, Prelles

88. This sundial disappeared in 2003
TIME IS RUNNING OUT JUST LIKE WATER.

89. Aiguilles 1889
102 Buildings destroyed

90. In Château Queyras : flood level in 1957

91. In Abries, Zarbula’s sundial destroyed in 1944 bombardment

92. Restorations: Club du Vieux Manoir
Patrimony: history, cultural, architecture
13 sundials restored in Brianconnais
1870: St Martin de Queyrières Church

93. Restorations: Solaria s.n.c
Lucio Maria Morro & Fabio Garnero
FOSSANO (Cuneo) It
Sundial creation & restoration
Many Italian dials
Zarbula Restoration
1872 Sestriere, Champlas du Col

94. Restorations: Rémi Potey Fresco painter Creative artist
Many modern dials
Hautes Alpes, Haute Provence, Buëch
Restorations:
St Véran
Château Queyras
Château Queyras Villevieille

95. Jean-François Gavoty Creative artist, painter, cadranier
Professor fine arts
Ecole des Beaux Arts, Strasburg, Grenoble, Lyon
Haute Provence, Ubaye
Maljasset
Serenne
1860 Serrenes, Ubaye, Alpes de Haute Provence

96. Restorations Atelier Tournesol
Pique & Bachet
Inventories, protection
Grenoble, Savoie, Hautes Alpes
Vallouise:
Bardoneche
Le Villard, St Sebastien

97. Evelyne & Norbert Peyrot
Restoration of sundials and fresco paintings in Briançonnais, Val de Clarée, Val des Prés
1847 : SAINT-CHAFFREY, Villard-Late,

98. 18?? : Savoie, Valloire, Les Verneys

99. THE END 1998 : Renovated by Peyrot
2005 : Destroyed -Valloire Town Hall
Alain Ferreira & Roger Bailey

100. Acknowledgements & References
Alain Ferreira: co-author ideas, slides, pictures, files
Internet: Google, SML
A. Gunella: L’ Orologio Francese e il detto DI ZARBULA per trovare la declinazione del muro
A. Bouchard: Zarbula Dossier, Le Gnomoniste, mars 2005
P. Gagnaire: L’ Equerre et le Oiseau
P.Putelat & G. Ducrot: Cadrans Solaires Traditionnels en Queyras – Briançonnais
Cadrans Solaires Français Catalogués; SAF CCS
Emmanuel Defever
*** Sommelier