Villa Arnaldi
Encyclopedia
Villa Arnaldi is an unfinished historical edifice in Meledo di Sarego
, Province of Vicenza
, Italy, designed by Andrea Palladio
in 1547.
At a passing glance it might seem strange to include this modest and evidently incomplete building — today unfortunately also in bad repair — alongside the grandiose Palladian villas. But in reality, the Villa Arnaldi provides precious evidence of a process which is usually visible only from the final results: the transformation of a pre-existing building into a new architecture
.
Indeed, in 1547 Vincenzo Arnaldi, one of Vicenza
’s richest and most influential personages, commissioned the architect Andrea Palladio to restructure the 15th century (Quattrocento) agricultural complex which he had just acquired. His motive was, so to speak, instrumental: he wished to improve the property only to increase its value in a legal action with one of its previous owners. In fact, when Arnaldi reached an agreement, in 1565, he broke off the works and rented out the house without giving care further thought to concluding the structure.
A series of autograph drawings allow us to follow the architect’s ideas for remodelling the irregular Quattrocento complex, his attempts to regularise the buildings which defined its farmyard and find a symmetry
within the new spatial layout of the house. The latter he organised around a loggia
with three arches and minor, rectangular openings on its flanks (still extant though now blocked) — and, also, framed its windows with his usual moulding
s.
Sarego
Sarego is a town and comune in the province of Vicenza, Veneto, Italy. It is 20 km southwest of Vicenza. SP500 goes through the town of Sarego.-Main sights:In the frazione of Meledo, there are two incomplete villas designed by Andrea Palladio:...
, Province of Vicenza
Province of Vicenza
The Province of Vicenza is a province in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Its capital city is Vicenza.The province has an area of 2,723 km², and a total population of 840,000 . There are 121 comuni in the province...
, Italy, designed by 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...
in 1547.
At a passing glance it might seem strange to include this modest and evidently incomplete building — today unfortunately also in bad repair — alongside the grandiose Palladian villas. But in reality, the Villa Arnaldi provides precious evidence of a process which is usually visible only from the final results: the transformation of a pre-existing building into a new architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
.
Indeed, in 1547 Vincenzo Arnaldi, one of 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...
’s richest and most influential personages, commissioned the architect Andrea Palladio to restructure the 15th century (Quattrocento) agricultural complex which he had just acquired. His motive was, so to speak, instrumental: he wished to improve the property only to increase its value in a legal action with one of its previous owners. In fact, when Arnaldi reached an agreement, in 1565, he broke off the works and rented out the house without giving care further thought to concluding the structure.
A series of autograph drawings allow us to follow the architect’s ideas for remodelling the irregular Quattrocento complex, his attempts to regularise the buildings which defined its farmyard and find a symmetry
Symmetry
Symmetry generally conveys two primary meanings. The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically pleasing proportionality and balance; such that it reflects beauty or perfection...
within the new spatial layout of the house. The latter he organised around a loggia
Loggia
Loggia is the name given to an architectural feature, originally of Minoan design. They are often a gallery or corridor at ground level, sometimes higher, on the facade of a building and open to the air on one side, where it is supported by columns or pierced openings in the wall...
with three arches and minor, rectangular openings on its flanks (still extant though now blocked) — and, also, framed its windows with his usual moulding
Molding (decorative)
Molding or moulding is a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration. It is traditionally made from solid milled wood or plaster but may be made from plastic or reformed wood...
s.
Sources
- Villa Arnaldi in CISA website (source for the first revision of this article, with kind permission)
See also
- Palladian Villas of the VenetoPalladian Villas of the VenetoThe 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...