The proscenium arch of Teatro Farnese in Parma

Teatro Farnese is the oldest surviving theatre with a permanent proscenium arch. This does not mean that it was the first theatre. Bartolomeo Neroni draw the arch already in 1560, but this was probably a temporary proscenium arch. There are also theories that Teatro Sabbioneta had some kind of a temporary proscenium arch, but no conclusive evidence can be found for this theory. It is certain, however, that the theatre in the Uffizi Palace in Florence, built by Buontalenti, had a permanent arch. Unluckily this theatre was destroyed in the eighteenth century, but it gives a clue that the proscenium arch was already in use in the Italian Renaissance theatre.

There are several theories about the origins of the proscenium arch. O.G. Brockett names in his book 'history of the theatre' a couple of possibilities: Some scholars have suggested that the doorways of the Roman or 'Terence' stages were gradually enlarged to permit playing scenes inside the openings, and that eventually all were merged into a single arch. Others have argued for a similar evolution out of the triumphal arches used in street pageants. Still others believe that the proscenium frame was borrowed from perspective painting, in which a central view was often framed by architectural side units (much as in Serlio's stage settings).

The Teatro Farnese’s proscenium arch looks a bit like a Roman frons scaenae but has only one opening, as opposed to the three openings in the classical frons scaenae (also to be found in Vicenza’s Teatro Olimpico). The arch was useful to hide the machinery and apparatus for the scenery changes for the sight of the audience. Two other frames or 'arches' were placed more at the back of the stage. This gave the possibility to use settings of varying depths in one performance. The use of more than one frame became more important during the baroque area when the stage settings grew in importance.

The proscenium of Farnese is a large, also wooden structure with a Corinthian arrangement. It is decorated by large pillars and columns placed on high pedestals and niches. Originally, the wooden structure was highly decorated and in the niches were placed allegorical statues.

In the middle, above the opening of the proscenium arch, the Farnese family crest is placed.

Above of the proscenium is a frame, divided in panels by short pillars. These were originally decorated with statues. In the middle an inscription to honour the principal: Bellonae ac mvsis theatvm rainvtivs Farnesivs Parmae et placentiae dvx IV castri v avcvsta magnificentia apervit anno MDCXVIII. From that time, the use of the top centre position of the proscenium to honor of the prince was copied in many theatres.