Andrea Palladio
1508-1580
Biography
On November 30th, 1508, the architect Andrea Palladio was born in Padua, Italy. Palladio spent more of his youth in local areas, eventually moving to Vicenza, Italy where he spent the rest of his life. Palladio was first apprenticed for about six years to a local stone cutter in Padua. Eventually, after breaking his contract and moving to Vicenza, Palladio was noticed by Giangiorgio Trissino, who took him in and educated him. Palladio lived a lifestyle full of travel and education, constantly working on new projects and learning new ideas. Andrea Palladio created some of the most refined architecture of the Renaissance. For example; The Villa Godi, The Basilica Paladiana, and The Rotonda. Palladio is closely linked to Classicism because of his homage to Ancient Roman architecture, complete with large domes, columns, and windows. Palladio can also be associated with Humanism, as of his architecture has or is featured with some human like statues or detailing. Andrea Palladio died in Vincenza, Italy on August 15th, 1580.
The Villa Godi
In the years 1537 to 1542, the great architectural work, The Villa Godi was in the midst of it's creation in Vicenza, Italy. This work is very significant to the creator, Andrea Palladio, and to architecture at this time. The reason being, it was Palladio's first work, and it really pulled in architectural aspects from the past and the future. The past being, The Ancient Greeks simple design structures, and the future being new techniques that would not be seen again until Palladio's later works. This work falls mainly under Classicism, because of the way it reflected Ancient Greek architecture. Simple interior, simple exterior, etc. This piece truly is very rough around the edges, but very much defines natural beauty. With only simple details here and there and nothing to extraordinary, Palladio managed to make a beautiful Villa with beautiful surroundings. I believe this piece is interesting because of how similar it is to something that you would see in the modern day. It is amazing to me how throughout the centuries, some traditions of building still stay alive and growing. Villa Godi can be loosely translated into 'enjoyable house' and I think that is truly conveyed in this work.
Citations
"Andrea Palladio." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Biography in Context. Web. 3 Dec. 2015.