Many of my travel articles evolve around the architecture of a city. Therefore, I feel it is equally important to learn about the great architects that have had a knack, historically, in providing us with significant pieces of work.
One great architect is Andrea Palladio (1508 to 1580) and is considered by many as one of the most influential architects in the history of Europe.
Palladio was born November 30, 1508 in Padua Italy. The (Italian) architect originally was trained as a stone mason.
His original name was Andrea di Pietro dalla Gondolla.
The poet Giangiorgio Trissino (1478 to 1550) oversaw the architectural studies of Palladio. It was at this time the architect's name was changed.
Trissino took Palladio to Rome. It was here, he studied Roman (architectural) ruins; Palladio also studied the (contributions) of Vitruvious, who is considered by many, the most important of Roman architects.
Out of his studies (in Rome) came Palladio's: “Antiquities of Rome” (dated 1554). This book became the principal guide to Roman ruins up to the 1700s.
Palladio's first work of any significant importance was his renovation of the Basilica; also know as the town hall of Vicenza. The project started in 1549 involved the front and inside supporting structure.
Near the location of Vicenza, Palladio designed residences and many of the community buildings.
The best known of Palladio's designs include the following: Barbarano, Chieregati, Tiene, Porto, and Valmarana palaces and Villa Capri.
Additionally, between the dates of 1560 and 1580, the architect built several beautiful churches in the city of Venice. Significant works (in this area) include: San Francesco della Vigna; San Giorgio Maggiore, and II Redentore.
The last significant work designed by the great architect was the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza. In fact, the structure was completed after the architect's death in 1580.
Palladio attained his use of classic motifs from his early evaluation of Roman architecture. Palladio's works contain the classic Roman style of the Renaissance period also used by architects such as Donato Bramante.
Palladio used the elements of the Roman buildings he had originally studied; adding the concept of proportion. In this way, he was able to affect extreme simplicity in his design scheme: The “feel” of which is almost austere.
Additionally, Palladio was the first architect who put together an organized system for the rooms of a house.
Another architectural first was the application of pedimented porticos added to houses. The porticos were first found on the Roman temples Palladio had studied. In other words, he designed the residence with formalized porches recognized by the use of a triangular-shaped gable with a supporting row of columns.
Another significant fact in regard to the buildings designed by Palladio is that the buildings were extremely functional.
For example, in the façade of the Basilica, the arches of the building are supported on slender columns; between the columns are narrow spaces rectangular in design.
The design, as described in the preceding paragraph became so imitated by other architects that it became known as the Palladian motif.
The scheme allows the piers between the arches to be narrow as opposed to enormous and wide, thus, allowing more natural light to pass into the building while providing the façade with a very open appearance.
Palladio also authored significant works on the subject of architecture titled: I Quattro Libri dell' Architettura (1570, 2d ed. 1580; trans. The Four Books of Architecture 1571). The set of books was widely translated, influencing the designs of many other architects.
Its scientific rules were significantly used, particularly in England, and were the basis of the Palladian style.
The Palladian style was adopted by many of the significant English architects such as: Christopher Wren. The style influenced the neoclassical architecture of Georgian styling.
