Palladio, (Andrea) | Quattro Libri dell'Architettura, the landmark of Classicism

Palladio, (Andrea)

Quattro Libri dell'Architettura. Venice: Battolomco Carampello, 1581

4 parts in one volume, small folio (295 x 200 mm). Title-page and part-titles within elaborate architectural woodcut border incorporating Domenico de' Franceschi's "Regina virtus" device, woodcut illustrations, plans and sections (some full-page) after Andrea Palladio, woodcut initials, blank 2K4 present, but last blank lacking; minor marginal repairs to first 5 leaves, significant repairs to F2 and F3, AA4 gutter extended, some scattered light rubbing and a few stray stains. Old vellum with spine repairs. Handsome tan calf folding box.

A landmark of Classicism

Palladio's Architettura was first published by Domenico de' Franceschi in 1570; although the first edition had promised additional books, these had not been completed by the time of Palladio's death in 1571 and this second edition, seen through the press by his son Silla, is virtually identical in text and illustrations to the first.

"Palladio's lasting influence on architectural style in many parts of the world was exercised less through his actual buildings than through his textbook. This is divided into four sections: orders and elementary problems, domestic buildings, public building and town planning and temples. Palladio's style was directly inspired by Roman classical models through the writings of Vitruvius and Alberti. Its characteristics are those of classicism: symmetry, order, fixed mathematical relations of the parts to each other and to the whole, logic and monumentality. Though it is true that Palladio in his later period adopted some of the mannerist vernacular, his buildings remain essentially classical, in contrast to the baroque style of the period in Rome and Piedmont" (PMM).

REFERENCE:

BAL RIBA 2384; Censimento 16 CNCE 23738; Cicognara 595; Fowler 21