 The
renaissance in Europe has been one of the most defining moments
in history and the Italian renaissance brought forth many talented
artistes including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Andrea Palladio
etc. Andrea Palladio may be described as perhaps one of the most
famous among the architects of the renaissance. Architects have
used his designs for the past four hundred and fifty years.
Birth
Andrea Palladio was born on November 30 in the year 1508 in Padua,
Italy. He was named Andrea di Pietro della Gondolla but he attained
his fame under the name Andrea Palladio. He was the son of Pietro
della Gondolla, a miller and Marta. At the age of thirteen he was
apprenticed to a stonecutter in Padua. It is said that after eighteen
months he left Padua and went to Vicenza where he became an assistant
in the workshops of the leading stonecutters and masons.
Major break
In the year 1537, Andrea Palladio met Gian Giorgio Trissino one
of the leading scholars and amateur architect of the time. This
was indeed a useful meeting for the 30-year-old Andrea since Trissino
not only engaged him to assist him in adding additions to his villa
at Cricoli but also became his mentor.
Andrea and Trissino
Getting an assignment from Trissino was perhaps the best thing
that could have happened to Andrea Palladio. His mentor introduced
him to the principles of classical architecture and renaissance
education.Trissino sponsored him to visit Padua and Venice between
1538-9. He even went to Rome in 1541 to study classical roman works
and early renaissance architecture.
Trissino also introduced him to a widening circle of patrons who
gave him various commissions to design villas and palatial homes.
Trissino also gave him the name Palladio by which he was recognized
and which gave him fame to this day.
His palaces and villas
In 1538 Palladio and his apprentices at the workshop began construction
of the Villa Godi for rich patrons of Vicenza. Many years later
he received commissions from the nobility in Venice to construct
their villas.
Andrea Palladio built many palaces and villas mainly in Vicenza.
He transformed the city of Vicenza with his imposing structures
including civic buildings, the basilica or even aristocratic residences.
He received many commissions from the wealthy and nobility of Venice.
Due to the immense wealth of his patrons Palladio was given the
opportunity to experiment and create his own style. He had a unique
and distinct style and this elevated his status among his contemporaries.
He used simple and common materials to design the most exquisite
buildings in classical style. Many of his country houses that are
also termed as villas had a classical temple front with columns
generally two stories high. His designs of arch and column compositions
have been termed as the “Palladian motif” and have been
copied by architects to date. He continuously developed new ideas
and systems. His villas seem to have their own unique trademark
although they reflect the Palladian style. The villa was both a
factory and farm. It became one of the highest expressions of countryside
civilization to a large measure due to Palladio or the Palladian
influence in later years.
His buildings generally have a central hall surrounded by other
rooms grouped in perfect symmetry and are three story high. Some
of his best-known houses or villas are Villa Rotonda, which overlooks
Vicenza, Villa Barbarosa, Villa Foscari, Villa Emo, and Villa Godi.
Villa Godi
This is the first villa attributed to Palladio. It is built
on the hills west of Vicenza. Its sheer size and fairytale setting
among the hills and enchanting villages surrounding it add to its
charm.
Villa Rotonda
This villa near Vicenza is more a palazzo rather than a
villa. It is perhaps the most famous building of Palladio. It was
built as a party house for Paolo Almerio. Pagan temples have inspired
its design. It can be viewed from all sides. It is said that Palladio
drew inspiration from his studies of the pantheon, which was known
as “La Rotonda” in ancient times. Palladio himself classified
this building as a palazzo rather than a villa as it was close to
city of Vicenza, and it was not a villa-farm and had no land attached
to it. It was built as a pleasure palace for his patron Almeiro
to entertain his guests.
Villa Barbaso
This villa was built around the 1560’s for the Barbosa
brothers-Marc Antonio and Danielle. It was built over a preexisting
building. It was built with a lot of inputs from his patrons. It
is in Maser. It has frescoes by Paul Veronese.
Villa Emo
This is the only villa, which is supposed to be built as
per the exact specifications of Palladio. It can be considered as
a pure Palladian villa. It encompasses Palladio’s vision of
an ideal villa. It is surrounded by elegant gardens. It has frescoes
by Palladio’s favourite fresco artist Zellotti.
Villa Foscari
It is also known as Villa Malcontente due to the legend
associated with it. It is located on the banks of the river Brenta.
It is also famous for its awe-inspiring portico.
Villa Poiano
This villa is off the beaten track at Pojana, Maggiore. It is one
of his most interesting villas. It has three levels and visitors
can enjoy the splendid architectural aspects of each level.
Teatro Olimpica
This is one of the purest creations and is a classical example of
renaissance architecture in Italy. It is considered by many to be
the most famous of Palladio’s works. It is his last work and
was completed by his son Silla.
Religious Buildings
In 1560 Palladio was commissioned to build a refectory for the Benedictine
monastery of San Giorgio Maggiore. He then constructed the cloister
of the monastery of San Maria della Carita, which is now the Accademia
museum. He also built the façade of the church of San Francesco
della Vigna. He built three magnificent Palladian churches in Venice,
which can be admired for their architecture to day. They are the
San Giorgio Maggiore, Il Redentore and the San Maria della Presentazione
(Le Zitelle). Unfortunately the church of San Lucia was razed in
the mid nineteenth century to make way for a railroad station.
Early influences
Palladio was influenced by the work of Vitruvius the classical
roman architect and Leon Alberta Battista the renaissance man. He
also familiarized himself with the work of his contemporaries like
Guilio Romano, Giovanni Maria Falconetto, Sebastian Serlio and Michele
Sanmicheli. Although he imbibed the ideas of the classicists and
his contemporaries he was also very creative & combined art
forms and nature in many of his works.
His writings and his Masterpiece
Andrea Palladio has written very important books on architecture.
He first wrote a guide to the classical ruins of Rome. Then in collaboration
with his sons he published a new translation of Caesar’s Commentaries.
He also contributed illustration to Danielle Barbaro’s annotated
edition of Vitruvius’ treatise on classical architecture.
Finally in 1570 he published what is perhaps one of the most famous
and well read and referred book in architecture. It is called I
Quattro Libri dell’ Architettura ( The Four Books of Architecture).
This book has been translated in to every European language &
to date it can be bought either in its hardback or paperback version.
It is the work of a master & details not only architectural
principles but also gives advice on practical applications. It has
meticulous woodcut illustrations drawn from his original work. He
recreated ancient classicism in his own unique style.In 1570 he
was alsoappointed as the architectural adviser to the Venetian republic.
The influence of the Palladian Style
Palladio is one of the most copied and revered architects of all
time. He influenced British American and European architecture in
the past four hundred and fifty years. Inigo Jones was influenced
by the Palladian style so much that many of his buildings in England
reflect the Palladian style. William Kent, Colin Campbell, Sir Christopher
Wren and Sir William Chambers are some of the other famous architects
who also used Palladian motifs in their renowned buildings. In the
United States the Palladian style is seen in the manor houses of
the Southern plantations. This Palladian influence is especially
noted in Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.
Death
Although Palladio died in 1580 in Vicenza he has left behind
a legacy called the Palladian style. He is one of the most influential
and most copied architect of the Western world. His influence is
still seen in today’s modern homes.
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