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Palazzo della Ragione: Raking view of loggia including nearby clock tower

Date

Circa 1910

Creator

G. Massiot & cie
Part of: Architectural Lantern Slides of Italy
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries

The Torre Bissara (clock tower) (1224-1446), 82 m, is one of the tallest buildings in Vicenza.

In 1548 Palladio received his first public commission from the town of Vicenza. The reconstruction of the original loggia surrounding the medieval town hall had collapsed in 1496, and after gathering proposals for its replacement from many of the well-known architects of the time, including Jacopo Sansovino, Sebastiano Serlio, Michele Sanmicheli and Giulio Romano, the town council decided in favour of the design by the local architect Palladio, thus firmly establishing his reputation. Palladio's solution for the loggia of the Palazzo della Ragione (also known as the Basilica) is brilliantly convincing, not least because of the use of the Serlian motif with which he concealed the irregularities of the inner structure, particularly the different widths of the bays, by varying the side openings while giving the building a harmonious general appearance. The idea of a double skin for the building derives from the structure of ancient Roman theatre walls, the vertical axes of which are articulated by equal-sized openings on the different floors and by engaged columns set in front of the walls. In addition, Palladio projected the Serliana--subsequently also called the Palladian motif--in the third dimension, since its columns are duplicated towards the interior of the loggia. The boundary between the building and the piazza was thus made permeable, as befitted the building's function as the seat of the town council.

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Metadata

Creator
G. Massiot & cie
Date
Circa 1910
Publisher
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Material Type
photographs
Conditions Governing Access
To view the physical lantern slide, please contact the Architecture Library to arrange an appointment

Metadata

Campus Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Link to Finding Aid
https://curate.nd.edu/show/8k71ng47p3m
This digital collection may not include all items or all of the information available about the source collection. See the finding aid for more information.

Metadata

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Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries at asklib@nd.edu.


Also from Architectural Lantern Slides of Italy

Santa Maria della Spina: Overall view of facade and roof with spires and finials

Santa Maria della Spina: Overall view of facade and roof with spires and finials

Vicenza Cathedral: Overall view, side, facade to the left; cupola and dome on the right

Vicenza Cathedral: Overall view, side, facade to the left; cupola and dome on the right

Vicenza Cathedral: Detail of lower half of facade and right side

Vicenza Cathedral: Detail of lower half of facade and right side

Collegio di Propaganda Fide: Facade facing the Piazza di Spagna by Bernini

Collegio di Propaganda Fide: Facade facing the Piazza di Spagna by Bernini

Herculaneum: House of Argus: Detail, colonnade

Herculaneum: House of Argus: Detail, colonnade

Ponte Sant'Angelo: Overall view of bridge

Ponte Sant'Angelo: Overall view of bridge

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