Villa D'este
Cardinal of Ferrara by
Architect Pirro Ligorio, 1552-1572
Grotto
the sacred cave; encrusted with stone, shells and mineral deposits
Name the Three Natures
What is:
1. Primeval Wilderness, mythic/sacred topos.
2. Agricultural or "working" lands
3. Ornamental (pleasure) garden
Review: Why is Villa De Medici at Fiesole considered a new type?
1. Regulated proportions
2. Specific path from house to terraces
3. Slope offers a southern exposure (focus on the micro-climate)
4. Main Garden axis at the spring and ends at a view
5. Garden Merges Christian and Pagan symbolism
It is a painting in a half moon shape often depicting a landscape.
Alessandro de Medici commissioned these "birds eye" paintings for one of the Medici Villa's by the artist Uten
What was the political importance of this villa
to establish the importance not only for the cardinal within his own family, but to establish his political influence in Rome itself.
Topoi
What is the plural of “topos”—from the Greek for a specific sanctified place; in Renaissance gardens, topoi signify mythical or traditional (even clichéd) garden themes or motifs
Andrea Palladio:
Who was he, what style did he create or expand on, where did he mainly practice?
Palladio's style was more rigorous and constrained than his other Mannerist designers.
Instead of using classical myths, he used classical principles to structure his designs (Mathematical principles or philosophies)
A lot of his work was around Venice (a lot of it being churches)
Villa Giulia
A Villa near Rome, The Villa demonstrates a sophisticated interlocking of interior and exterior spaces.
Originally a Papal retreat.
Includes a classical topo of a Nymphaeum that includes mythological themes (specifically the muses)
Bosco
A small sacred grove of trees or wooded area in a renaissance garden.
How is the Villa D'este playing into the idea of Nature as Theater
It is a Magical Scripted walk through the gardens that forces the viewer to experience the garden sequentially and follow the predetermined narrative of the space.
Nymphaeum
a small architectural grotto w/ niches for sculpture (think Villa Giulia)
Define Mannerism : When was it, what does it do in the garden?
What is a shift in sensibility in the 16th century the modest and simplicity of the Humanist style towards the exaggeration, distortion, enchantment, sensuality, ornate forms in gardens.
Serves as a bridge between late renaissance and the baroque.
Villa D'Medici at Pratolino
Garden as a theater, use of theatrical composure of spaces.
The gardens tell the tale of Ovid's Metamorphoses:
"Now stands my task accomplished, such a work
As not the wrath of Jove, nor fire nor sword
Nor the devouring ages can destroy"
Loggia
a gallery or room with one or more open sides, especially one that forms part of a house and has one side open to the garden.
What Iconography (both religious and secular) is the garden based off of?
the gardens used both christian ideas of the garden of Eden and classical (greco-roman) mythology (i.e. references to classical topoi)
Parterre
What is a decoratively planted terrace based on the flowery mead
How did Mannerist Gardens Physically Show the Theater of Nature?
(Name Three of the Four Methods designers used to do this in gardens)
Villa Barbaro
A typical approach to the Palladian style of approach.
The Facade is like a roman temple that ends in dovecotes.
The sequence of spaces is extremely choreographed. The only thing that does not fit is the Nymphaeum and is unique among the Villa's and was potentially asked to include it from his client who liked the Nymphaeum from the Villa Guilia.
Name at least three of the four reasons for building villas.
Establish their territory
Display their taste
establish aesthetic status
show their resources.
What is the importance of Water in this Villa?
The fountains serve as expressions of the three tributary rivers that lead to Rome and are topped with references to Pegasus, the Muses, Mt. Pernassus, etc.
And it is a representation of the renewal of water infrastructure for the city of Rome.
Giardino Segreto
What is a secret garden based on the Mediaeval hortus conclusus or Marian Garden
Name four out of the 6 elements in the sequence of Paladian Villa's and Gardens
Villa Rotunda
The Villa Rotunda is the example of the base diagram that is said to be the driving design for all of Palladian's Villa Designs.
Symbolocally the whole landscape is designed completely with the human in mind.
In this villa Palladio innovates at this villa by adding a plinth to accommodate for the different type of topography. He then cut the plinth so that it would have a more dramatic entry and that the building is rotated 45 degrees to allow for all parts of the building to have sunlight during the growing season.
Define Humanism
“emphasizes secular (non-religious) concerns as a result of the rediscovery and study of the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome.” Also: “A system of thought that centers on humans and their values, capacities, and worth.”