Page 30 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Venice & The Veneto

28  INTRODUCING VENICE AND THE VENE T O

The Villas of Palladio

When it became fashionable in the 16th
century for wealthy Venetians to acquire
rural estates on the mainland, many
turned to the prolific architect, Andrea The façade is symmetrical; dovecotes and stables
Palladio (1508–80) for the design in the wings balance the central block.
of their villas. Inspired by ancient
Roman prototypes, described The Room of the Little Dog is
by authors such as Vitruvius and ornate and lavishly decorated
with frescoes by Veronese. Look
Virgil, Palladio provided his clients closely to see the detail of a
with elegant buildings in which spaniel in one of the panels.
the pursuit of pleasure could be
combined with the functions of
a working farm. Palladio’s designs
were widely imitated and
continue to inspire
architects to this day.

The Nymphaeum combines
utility with art; the same spring
that feeds the statue-lined
pool also supplies
water to the villa.

The Villa Barbaro
Palladio and Veronese worked
Key closely to create this splendid villa
Crociera Room of the Little Dog (commissioned in 1555, see p177).
Lively frescoes of false balconies,
Bacchus Room Room of the Oil Lamp
doors, windows and rural views
Room of the Tribunal of Love Nymphaeum create the illusion of greater
Hall of Olympus Non-exhibition space space, perfectly complementing
Palladio’s light, airy rooms.

Development of the Villa The portico statues The pedimented pavilion is
reflect Palladio’s
all that survives of Palladio’s
Palladio experimented with myriad study of ancient ambitious design; the main
designs, which he published in his Roman buildings. residence was never built.
influential Quattro Libri (Four Books) Stables and
in 1570, illustrating the astonishing storerooms
fertility of his mind
and his ability to
create endless
variations on the
Classical Roman style. Villa Thiene (1546), now the town hall, Quinto Vicentino

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