Casa Cogollo
Encyclopedia
Casa Cogollo is a small palace
in Vicenza
built in 1559 and attributed to architect Andrea Palladio
. Since 1994 it is part of the "City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto
" World Heritage Site
by UNESCO
.
Though known as the “House of Palladio”, in reality this building has no connection whatsoever with the residence of the Vicentine master. Rather it is its dimensions, quite contained if compared to the monumental emphasis of other Palladian palaces, which has forced into error all those who sought a visible sign of the architect’s domicile in the city.
In truth, the Maggior Consiglio (town council) forced the notary
Pietro Cogollo to remodel the façade
of his 15th century (Quattrocento) house as a contribution to the “decorum of the city”, making this provision (and a monetary investment in the work of not less than 250 ducats) a condition of the positive response to his request to gain Vicentine citizenship
.
In the absence of documents and autograph
designs, the attribution to Palladio of this most elegant façade still divides scholars. Yet, because of the intelligence of the architectural solution proposed, as well as the design of all the details, it is difficult to refer the project to any other designer. The constraints posed by a narrow space and the impossibility of opening windows at the centre of the piano nobile
(because of an existing fireplace
and its flue
) induced Palladio to emphasise the façade’s central axis, by realising a structure with a ground floor arch flanked by engaged columns, and on the upper storey
a tabernacle
frame for a fresco
by Giovanni Antonio Fasolo
.
The ground level arch is flanked by two rectangular spaces which illuminate and provide access to the portico
. Altogether they compose a type of serliana, as already done at the Basilica Palladiana
. The result is a composition of great monumental and expressive force, despite the simplicity of the means available.
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
in Vicenza
Vicenza
Vicenza , a city in north-eastern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monte Berico, straddling the Bacchiglione...
built in 1559 and attributed to architect Andrea Palladio
Andrea Palladio
Andrea Palladio was an architect active in the Republic of Venice. Palladio, influenced by Roman and Greek architecture, primarily by Vitruvius, is widely considered the most influential individual in the history of Western architecture...
. Since 1994 it is part of the "City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto
Palladian Villas of the Veneto
The City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto is a World Heritage Site protecting a cluster of works by the architect Andrea Palladio. UNESCO inscribed the site on the World Heritage List in 1994. At first the site was called "Vicenza, City of Palladio" and only buildings in the...
" World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
.
Though known as the “House of Palladio”, in reality this building has no connection whatsoever with the residence of the Vicentine master. Rather it is its dimensions, quite contained if compared to the monumental emphasis of other Palladian palaces, which has forced into error all those who sought a visible sign of the architect’s domicile in the city.
Notary
A notary is a lawyer or person with legal training who is licensed by the state to perform acts in legal affairs, in particular witnessing signatures on documents...
Pietro Cogollo to remodel the façade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
of his 15th century (Quattrocento) house as a contribution to the “decorum of the city”, making this provision (and a monetary investment in the work of not less than 250 ducats) a condition of the positive response to his request to gain Vicentine citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
.
In the absence of documents and autograph
Autograph
An autograph is a document transcribed entirely in the handwriting of its author, as opposed to a typeset document or one written by an amanuensis or a copyist; the meaning overlaps with that of the word holograph.Autograph also refers to a person's artistic signature...
designs, the attribution to Palladio of this most elegant façade still divides scholars. Yet, because of the intelligence of the architectural solution proposed, as well as the design of all the details, it is difficult to refer the project to any other designer. The constraints posed by a narrow space and the impossibility of opening windows at the centre of the piano nobile
Piano nobile
The piano nobile is the principal floor of a large house, usually built in one of the styles of classical renaissance architecture...
(because of an existing fireplace
Fireplace
A fireplace is an architectural structure to contain a fire for heating and, especially historically, for cooking. A fire is contained in a firebox or firepit; a chimney or other flue allows gas and particulate exhaust to escape...
and its flue
Flue
A flue is a duct, pipe, or chimney for conveying exhaust gases from a fireplace, furnace, water heater, boiler, or generator to the outdoors. In the United States, they are also known as vents and for boilers as breeching for water heaters and modern furnaces...
) induced Palladio to emphasise the façade’s central axis, by realising a structure with a ground floor arch flanked by engaged columns, and on the upper storey
Storey
A storey or story is any level part of a building that could be used by people...
a tabernacle
Aedicula
In religion in ancient Rome, an aedicula is a small shrine. The word aedicula is the diminutive of the Latin aedes, a temple building or house....
frame for a fresco
Fresco
Fresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
by Giovanni Antonio Fasolo
Giovanni Antonio Fasolo
Giovanni Antonio Fasolo was a late Renaissance Italian painter of the Venetian school, active in Vicenza and surroundings.A native of Mandello del Lario, he appears to have trained in the Venice studio of Paolo Veronese. By 1557, he was an independent fresco decorator...
.
The ground level arch is flanked by two rectangular spaces which illuminate and provide access to the portico
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
. Altogether they compose a type of serliana, as already done at the Basilica Palladiana
Basilica Palladiana
The Basilica Palladiana is a Renaissance building in the central Piazza dei Signori in Vicenza, north-eastern Italy. The most notable feature of the edifice is the loggia, which shows one of the first examples of the what came to be known as the Palladian window, designed by a young Andrea...
. The result is a composition of great monumental and expressive force, despite the simplicity of the means available.
Sources
- Casa Cogollo in the CISA website (source for the first revision of this article, with kind permission)