Andrea Palladio – His Life and Legacy
The 'Architects' Architect' at London's Royal Academy of Arts
Jan 27, 2009
The latest exhibition to open at London's Royal Academy of Arts is entitled Andrea Palladio: His Life and Legacy. The show marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of Palladio (1508-1580). The exhibition uses original drawings, manuscripts, books, paintings and architectural remains to follow the architect's career from stone carver to renowned architect. Also on display are several large-scale models such as the Villa Capra, known also as the Villa Rotonda.
Andrea Palladio's Work
Palladio designed impressive public buildings, town houses and palaces, country villas and churches in the Vicenza, Venice and Veneto regions, drawing on classical sources to create functional buildings for his patrons.
Palladio, often called the 'architects' architect', is not only famous for his buildings, but also for his treatise entitled I Quattro Libri dell’Architettura (The Four Books on Architecture) published in 1570. In these volumes he set out his ideas on the rules of architecture, rules which were subsequently adopted throughout the world. A copy of the third volume is on display.
Palladio in Context
Palladio's life and work is set in context by paintings by many artists including Paolo Caliari, known as Veronese. Susanna and the Elders,c. 1585–88, features a building that resembles the Villa Barbero, a large-scale model of which is located nearby. Also on display is Portrait of Andrea Palladio by El Greco (Doménikos Theotokópoulos).
Palladio's Influence Around the World
Many of Palladio's plans and sketches were brought to England by Inigo Jones and others. These had a huge impact on British architecture. In the 18th century Burlington House (now home of the Royal Academy) was redesigned in the Palladian style by the 3rd Earl of Burlington, himself the owner of many drawings by Palladio. This was the beginning of a neo-Palladian revival.
Palladio's Theories in a Modern Context
In addition, a display of images, documentation and interviews brings Palladio's ideas into a modern context and shows the response of contemporary architects to I Quattro Libri dell'Architettura which is still studied by architects today. This display can be seen in The Architecture Space.
Events at the Royal Academy
In support of the exhibition the Royal Academy is presenting a comprehensive programme of events including gallery talks, lectures, sketching workshops as well as an introduction to Venetian cuisine with Italian food expert Valentina Daprile.
Catalogue
The exhibition is accompanied by a magnificent full-colour 320-page catalogue. The publication features essays by leading authorities plus 300 illustrations including enlarged reproductions allowing readers to discover how Palladio worked.
Palladio has also recently been the subject of a major publication by Taschen GmbH entitled Palladio - the Complete Buildings.
The exhibition will run from 31st January to 13th April 2009 and full details of the exhibition, events and catalogue can be obtained from the Royal Academy of Arts.
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