Friends of Palladio is Proud to Support the Following Projects:

Book

Deborah Howard (ed.), The proto-industrial architecture of the Veneto in the Early Modern period, Vicenza-Rome: CISA Andrea Palladio-Officina Libraria, 2021

Most studies of Early Modern architecture in the Veneto focus on villas, palaces and churches, giving pride of place to the work of the great Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580). Yet recent research by economic historians has drawn attention to the striking fact that many of Palladio’s patrons were actively engaged in commerce and manufacturing. How were these proto-industrial activities inserted into the built environment in both town and country?

Palladio’s own approach to design was totally innovative and revolutionary, and he lived in a society that thrived on transformation and innovation. Through the publication of a book, this program describes for the first time this ‘brave new world’ in relation to architecture, and highlights a neglected sector of the built environment of the Veneto, exploiting natural materials, inventive new technologies, and clean, renewable water-power.

The book, edited by Deborah Howard (St John's College, Cambridge, UK), is richly illustrated with color photographs, details from historic maps and surveys, engravings, drawings, paintings and historical models of machinery.