Palladio and Palladio 500
2009 continues the celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of the Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580). Palladio’s version of classical Roman architecture, based on mathematical proportions, became particularly influential through his publication The Four Books of Architecture, which illustrated his own designs together with accurate reconstructions of ancient buildings. Chiswick House and Marble Hill House in London are outstanding examples of the influence of Palladio.
Chiswick House was designed in 1725 by the third Earl of Burlington (1694-1753), drawing inspiration from his grand tours of Italy. A keen promoter of the classical style originally pioneered in Britain by Inigo Jones, Burlington sought to create the kind of villa and garden found in the suburbs of ancient Rome.
To celebrate Palladio’s 500th anniversary, you will be able to walk through the house and gardens with a specially produced trail guide, explaining the architectural and decorative details inspired by the antique and Palladian architecture. In addition, the first floor gallery, a beautiful space inspired by antique decoration and Palladian geometry, reopened this spring following detailed paint research and is re-presented in its 18th-century paint colours.
Marble Hill House, set on the banks of the Thames, as Palladio’s villas are set on the bank of the Brenta, is more directly inspired by the private houses which Palladio designed for the Venetian aristocracy. Marble Hill was designed by Lord Burlington’s collaborator, Roger Morris, for Henrietta Howard, Countess of Suffolk.
Self guided tours of the architectural features are now available to download or can be collected on your visit to the House.
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