Reflections in Stone: Four Venetian Villas of Andrea Palladio as Expressions of Sixteenth Century Venetian Political History
Graduation Date
Spring 2002
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program Name
Humanities
First Reader
Leslie Ross, PhD
Second Reader
James Boitano, PhD
Abstract
In the middle of the sixteenth century, the architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) built country homes for influential members of the Venetian nobility. His villas can be interpreted as reflections of a new image of power and harmony that Venice wished to project to the world. The economic and political turmoil of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth century forced Venice to reevaluate its position. While architecturally aligning itself with the authority of ancient Rome, Venice extolled the inner strength and accord of its political structure. This study looks at four Venetian villas built by Andrea Palladio: Villa Barbara, Villa Emo, Villa Cornaro, and Villa Foscari. Although each villa is a unique statement, all exhibit a powerful exterior facade and contain harmonious interior space epitomizing the serene authority that sixteenth century Venice chose to present to the world.