What do you think?
Rate this book
Palladio: Obra Arquitectonica Completa/complete Architectural Works
The classical Roman revivalist
With this introduction to the work of Andrea Palladio (1508–1580), TASCHEN’s Basic Architecture series shines its spotlight on one of the most influential figures in the history of Western architecture. Palladio’s Villa Rotonda in Vicenza became the most famous building of its kind; it influenced many later designs and remains an important source of inspiration for today’s architects. The Palladian style, distinguished by the typical Serlian windows, pillared façades resembling Roman temples, symmetrical floor plans, and elevations, was imported to other European countries and became widely known; in Great Britain it was one the important roots of 17th and 18th century architecture. In the 19th century, American architecture heavily referred to the style, as seen in, for example, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello home.
About the
Each book in TASCHEN’s Basic Architecture series
With this introduction to the work of Andrea Palladio (1508–1580), TASCHEN’s Basic Architecture series shines its spotlight on one of the most influential figures in the history of Western architecture. Palladio’s Villa Rotonda in Vicenza became the most famous building of its kind; it influenced many later designs and remains an important source of inspiration for today’s architects. The Palladian style, distinguished by the typical Serlian windows, pillared façades resembling Roman temples, symmetrical floor plans, and elevations, was imported to other European countries and became widely known; in Great Britain it was one the important roots of 17th and 18th century architecture. In the 19th century, American architecture heavily referred to the style, as seen in, for example, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello home.
About the
Each book in TASCHEN’s Basic Architecture series
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
24 people want to read
About the author
Manfred Wundram
37 books3 followersManfred Wundram (1925-2015) studied art history, archaeology, music history, and German literature. He taught art history at Ruhr University in Bochum for many years and published widely on the Early and High Renaissance.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 14, 2019
I wanted to find out more about the work of the architect who inspired those who designed and built much of Georgian and Regency Bath. This book seemed the perfect opportunity. There's much that is good about it: great photography, willingness to give over an entire double page spread to one picture when appropriate, nice maps showing the locations of all the buildings, large format, but...you knew there was going to be a but, right?
But the book is let down heavily by the text. There's an architectural glossary but it is cursory and needs to be much more comprehensive. Some of the definitions differ from others I've come across. The author clearly isn't a native English speaker and the proof-reading cannot have been done by one either: a few sentences are entirely unintelligible and typos are sprinkled through-out. I never worked out what the author meant by "plastic" - none of the ordinary definitions seem to fit. The style is weirdly elliptical. Whilst interesting, it's not pleasant reading. Finally, at the end, there's a five page essay on "Palladio's Legacy," except only the final three sentences were actually on topic, which is a real shame as it's an interesting topic and most of the essay was just recapitulation of previous material.
Despite these flaws, it served my purpose, giving me very clear ideas on what techniques and motifs of Bath architecture are taken from Palladio. I could have acheived the goal just by looking at the pictures, though.
But the book is let down heavily by the text. There's an architectural glossary but it is cursory and needs to be much more comprehensive. Some of the definitions differ from others I've come across. The author clearly isn't a native English speaker and the proof-reading cannot have been done by one either: a few sentences are entirely unintelligible and typos are sprinkled through-out. I never worked out what the author meant by "plastic" - none of the ordinary definitions seem to fit. The style is weirdly elliptical. Whilst interesting, it's not pleasant reading. Finally, at the end, there's a five page essay on "Palladio's Legacy," except only the final three sentences were actually on topic, which is a real shame as it's an interesting topic and most of the essay was just recapitulation of previous material.
Despite these flaws, it served my purpose, giving me very clear ideas on what techniques and motifs of Bath architecture are taken from Palladio. I could have acheived the goal just by looking at the pictures, though.
May 8, 2022
Lots of wonderful old palazzos, some are even abandoned/left in ruins. Most of the old architecture remind me of the ones in streets of Budapest, with their dark bricks and rustic appearances contaminated with graffiti.
August 12, 2025
Fraai uitgevoerd overzicht van het werk van Palladio.
August 12, 2011
Descriptiva excursión por las obras arquitectónicas de Palladio (desarrolladas aprox. 1530 d.c). Muchos consideran que este neoclásico copió a los griegos para levantar su arquitectura. Destacaría la magnanimidad de sus casas de campo, son una delicia para los sentidos. A parte de las columnatas embebidas en las paredes no encuentro otra característica para diferenciarlo de otros arquitectos. Si la hubiese, que seguro existe, mis ojos profanos no la ven.
December 29, 2009
Beautiful images with a few pages of information of some of Palladio's greatest works. Interesting read and brings back fond memories of my trip to Italy.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews