Renaissance Architecture of classical antiquity and in

particular ancient Roman

(14th-17th century)
architecture, of which many
Introduction examples remained.
• The term has been derived from • Orderly arrangements of columns,
Italian word "rinaseimento" pilasters and lintels, as well as the
meaning rebirth. Therefore, the term use of semicircular arches,
Renaissance implies the rebirth, hemispherical domes, and niches
renewal of something that had replaced the more complex
disappeared. It was the rediscovery proportional systems and irregular
of classical art and architecture of profiles of medieval buildings.
ancient Greek and Roman. Theory and Freedom
• The style was carried to France,
• By contrast, Renaissance
Germany, England, Russia and other
movement was the discovery of
parts Of Europe at different dates
man, glorification of human.
and with varying degrees of impact.
• Freedom Of individual in the
• Renaissance architecture is the
political as well as in the spiritual
architecture of the period between
sense became the important
the early 15th and early 17th centuries
aspect.
in different regions Of Europe, in
• Cultural, political and even
which there was a conscious revival
religious renewal and an
and development of certain
impressive record of new
elements of ancient Greek and
achievement in art, literature,
Roman thought and material
science, philosophy, politics and
culture. Stylistically, Renaissance
education etc.
architecture followed Gothic
architecture and was succeeded by Factors of the classical revival
Baroque architecture.
• Sack of Constantinople in 1453 AD,
Symmetry and Proportion when it was conquered by Sultan
Muhammad II, the Greek scholar
• The Renaissance style places
migrated to Athens. But when
emphasis on symmetry,
Athens was fallen to Turks the
proportion, geometry and the
scholar then migrated to Rome,
regularity of parts as they are
Florence and Bologna. They
demonstrated in the architecture
 brought with them books
containing knowledge which had
been partly forgotten in Italy.
Trade era: ( Innovation)
• Feudal era(Byzantine,
Romanesque, gothic) Simple
• Trade era (Renaissance)
Innovation, new technologies
• Development Of flourishing
commerce
• Growth of naturalism in literature
and art
• Development ofa spirit of scientific
inquiry. Age of reason and learning
Summary of Renaissance Architecture
• Early Renaissance ca. 1400-1500 –
Brunelleschi (churches), Alberti
(facades)
• High Renaissance ca. 1500-1525 –
Bramante (Tempietto), Palazzo
Farnese
• Late Renaissance ca. 1525-1600 –
Palladio (villas)
Characteristics
• During the 15th century, great
churches of the earlier centuries
seemed old fashioned and crude in
their forms.
• This was because classical ruins
were increasingly admired. The
classical proportions and
standards were determined and
applied.
• The head of city state of Italy
patronized classical scholars and
artists.
Architectural - Roman antiquity served
as inspiration
Political - Significance of city-states:
Florence, Venice, Naples
Commercial
• Venice - controlled sea trading to
the East
• Genoa - trading to France & Spain
• Milan & Turin - centers of overland
trading
Religious - Return of the Papacy from
Avignon to Rome
Philosophic - Development of printed
books and rediscovery of ancient
writings
Civil - Humanism as a mark of
citizenship.
Renaissance Architects
Early Renaissance
• Filippo Brunellschi 1377 - 1446
• Leon Battista Alberti 1404- 1472
• Michellozzo-di-BartoIorneo 1396-
1472
• S Forzinoa 1455-60
 • Leonardo Da Vinci 1452 — 1519
(Mona lisa, Last supper)
High Renaissance
• Donato Bramante 1444- 1514
• Raphael 1483 - 1536
• Baldassare Peruzzi 1481 - 1536
• Michelangelo 1475 - 1564
• Andrea Palladio 1508-1580
Alberti's idea and philosophy
produced concinnitas (a well-adjusted
whole, or the harmony, beauty and
proportion followed in).
Architectural Theories
• Leon Battista Alberti - De re
aedificatoria (On the Subject of
Building). 1450

Renaissance Architect’s Inspiration

Roman Architect Vitruvius

• Sebastiano Serlio - Regole Generali

d'Architettura (General Rules Of
Architecture). 1537

Vitruvius (Roman military engineer

of the ISt B.C) writings content was
eagerly absorbed he based his
architectural theories on the human
figure, the circle and the sphere. He was
the inspiration for most of the
renaissance architects.

His dictum was that good • Andrea Palladio - II Quattro Libri

architecture consists of three parts: dell'architettura (The Four Books of
Function, Structure, and design or beauty Architecture). 1570

Beauty in an individual depends on

the combination of three qualities:
number, proportion, and
location/arrangement
 most influential individual in the
history of Western architecture.
• All of his buildings are located in
what was the Venetian Republic.
• The Four Books of Architecture,
gained him wide recognition.
• He was the man who developed
Palladian style villas.
Renaissance Architects

Filippo Brunelleschi

• Developed first in Florence, with

Filippo Brunelleschi as one of its
innovators.
• Developed linear perspective
• Designer of remarkable dome of the
Florence Cathedral
• Other architectural works to be
highlighted are sculpture,
mathematics, engineering

Alberti

• Alberti was painter, poet, musician

and architect.
• To him architecture is not rooted in
crafts but an intellectual discipline
Andrea Palladio and a social art.
• He relied wholly upon the majestic
• Andrea Palladio (30 November 1508
effort of arches, pillar, in the true
— 19 August 1580) was an Italian
roman spirit.
architect active in the Republic of
• Alberti regarded mathematics as the
Venice.
common ground of art and the
• Palladio, influenced by Roman and
sciences.
Greek architecture. primarily by
Vitruvius, is widely considered the
 • Science had taught the artist how to
show linear perspective-that is, how
to size the objects from distance.
• Careful use of light and shadow,
made figures appear full and real.
• Renaissance painters portrayed
objects with realism and objects
Renaissance Character were carefully and accurately
depicted.
dignity and formality achieved thru
symmetry Characteristic Features

Architecture • LOGGIA: A gallery be behind an

open arcade or colonnade,
• In constructing churches,
Renaissance architects no longer
used the shape of a cross as a basis
for their structures.
• Instead, they based them on the
circle. Believing that ancient
• Podium: A continuous base/plinth
mathematicians `perfection,
supporting column.
architects used the circle to
represent the perfection of God.
• In constructing their homes, wealthy
people of the Renaissance often
adopted a Roman style, building the
four sides of their homes around a
courtyard. Simple, symmetrical
decorations—imitations of classical
• Vestibule: an entrance room or
ones—were applied to the facades of
lobby to a building.
buildings.

Painting

• The Renaissance painter depicted

the human figure as realistically as
possible, often with backgrounds of
the natural world.

• Stucco: a fine quality of pilaster for
ornamental purposes.
• Cortile: Italian name for the internal
court surrounded by an arcade in a
palace or other great building.
• Rustication: a method of forming
stonework with roughened surfaces
and recessed joints
• Crowning Cornice: a huge giant
overhanging running the length of the
roof line.
• Serliana window: an archway or
window with 3 openings. The central
one arched and wider than the others
on either side named after Serlio
(architect, painter) commonly known
as Venetian or Palladian window.
Plan
• The plans of Renaissance buildings
have a square, symmetrical
appearance in which proportions are
 usually based on a module. Within a
church, the module is often the width
of an aisle.

Arches

• Semi-circular or segmental.
• Arcades
• Part of entablature

Facade

• symmetrical around their vertical

axis.
• surmounted by a pediment and
organized by a system of pilasters,
arches and entablatures.
• Centrally focused
Vaults

• Highly decorated
• Floral appearance
• Complex patterns
• Paintings

Columns and Pilasters

• The Roman orders of columns are

used:- Tuscan, Doric, Ionic,
Corinthian and Composite.

Ceilings
 • Fan Vault in palaces and
cathedrals
• Residential were flat or coffered
ceilings.
• Frequently painted or decorated

Windows

• Windows may be paired and set

Domes within a semi-circular arch. They
may have square lintels and
A very large structural feature that
triangular or segmental pediments.
is visible from the exterior, and also as a
means of roofing smaller spaces where
they are only visible internally. After the
success of the dome in Brunelleschi's
design.

Walls

• External walls are generally of highly

finished ashlars masonry, laid in
straight courses. The corners of
buildings are often emphasized by
Doors rusticated quoins. Basements and
ground floors were often rusticated.
• Doors usually have square lintels.
They may be set within an arch or
surmounted by a triangular or
segmental pediment.
• Had a large or decorative keystone.
 Structures

Early Period

A. Andrea Mantua, 1470

Florence Cathedral Dome, 1420-1434

High Period

S. Peter Rome, 1506

A. Spirito Florence, 1436

Gesu Rome Vignola and Prota, 1573 AD

S Maria Novella, Florence, 1456

 • also known as the Quattrocento
• concepts architectural order were
explored¸ and rules were
formulated.
• the study of classical antiquity led
in particular to the adoption of
Classical detail and'
ornamentation.

Key Points Basilica di San Lorenzo

• Renaissance architecture adopted Basilica of Saint Lawrence

distinguishing features of classical
Roman architecture. However, the
forms and purposes of buildings had
changed over time, as had the
structure of cities, which reflected in
the fusion of classical and 16th century
forms.
• The primary features of 16 Century
In Florence by Filippo Brunelleschi
structures, which fused classical
Roman technique with Renaissance Filippo Brunelleschi
aesthetics, were based in several • considered to be a founding father of
foundational architectural concepts: Renaissance architecture, "s an
facades, columns and pilasters, Italian architect, designer, and
arches, vaults, domes, windows, and sculptor, and is now recognized to be
walls. the first modern engineer, planner,
• Although studying and mastering the and sole construction supervisor.
details of the ancient Romans was
one Of the important aspects of
Renaissance architectural theory, the
style also became more and
ornamental, with a widespread use
Of statuary, domes, and cupolas.

Early Renaissance (1400-1500)

• dome of the Florence Cathedral Leon Battista Alberti

• was an Italian humanist author,

artist, architect, poet; pries linguist;
philosopher and cryptographer.

Michelozzo di Bartolomeo

• Italian architect and sculptor.

• Basilica of Saint’ Andrea

• Façade of Santa Maria Novella

Façade of Palazzo Medici in Florence

High Renaissance (1500-1525)
• concepts derived from classical
antiquity were developed and used
with greater surety.
• The best-known exponents of
painting, sculpture and architecture of
the High Renaissance include
Leonardo Vinci, Michelangelo,
Raphael and Bramante„
• Extending the general rubric of
Renaissance culture, the visual arts of
the High Renaissance were marked by
a renewed emphasis upon the
classical tradition, the expansion of
networks of patronage, and a gradual
attenuate of figural forms into the
San Pietro in Montorio (Tempietto)
style later termed Mannerism.
Raphael
Donato Bramante
• Raffaello Sanzio (Santi) da Urbino
• The most representative architect
• was an Italian painter and
inn this period who expanded the
architect of the High Renaissance.
applicability of classical
architecture to contemporary
buildings.
• He introduced Renaissance
architecture to Milan and the High
Renaissance style to Rome, where
his plan for St. Peter's Basilica
formed the basis of design
executed by Michelangelo.
The School of Athens

The four Raphael Rooms form a suite of

reception rooms in the Apostolic Palace,
now part of the Vatican Museums, in
Vatican City. They are famous for their
frescoes, painted by Raphael and his
workshop. Villa Rotonda, Vicenza (1566-70)

Andrea Palladio

• 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. All of his buildings are
located in what was the Venetian
Republic, but his teachings,
summarized in the architectural
treatise,
• The Four Books of Architecture,
gained him wide recognition.
Mannerism (1520-1600)
• During the Mannerist period,
architects experimented with using
architectural forms to emphasize
solid and spatial relationships.
• The Renaissance ideal of harmony
gave way to freer and more
imaginative rhythms.
• Also known as Late Renaissance
• Mannerism encompasses a variety
of approaches influenced by, and
 reacting to, the harmonious ideals
associated with artists such as
Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and
early Michelangelo.
• Where High Renaissance art
emphasizes proportion, balance,
and ideal beauty, Mannerism
exaggerates such qualities, often
resulting in compositions that are
asymmetrical or unnaturally
elegant.
Michelangelo
• Michelangelo di Lodovico
Buonarroti Simoni
• The best-known architect
associated with the Mannerist
Style.
• Italian Renaissance sculptor,
painter, architect, scientist and
poet. Generally considered one of
the greatest artists ever.
St. Peter’s Basilica
Countries that adopted Renaissance
Architecture
Florence
• The birthplace of Renaissance
• Cities of Florence, Genoa, Milan -
central, chief powers of Italy.
• Vitality of social life at every level
• Artists, who excelled in several
arts, achieve high status society
• Craft guilds, with both religious and
lay connotations, directed activities
of studios workshops.
• Filippo Brunelleschi was the first to
develop a true Renaissance
architecture.
• Florence Cathedral, Brunelleschi
• Santa Maria Novella, Alberti
Rome
• Splendidly presented examples of
High Renaissance.
• Famous architect is Donato
Bramante.
• The Tempietto
S. Peter. Rome
• Most important Renaissance
building in Italy,
• With cathedral n piazza and the
Vatican, 'forms a world-famous
group,
• 120 years, outcome the works of
man architects under the direction
of the pope.
12 Architects
1. Bramante
His design was selected from
several entries in a competition.
proposed a Greek cross plan and a
dome similar to the Pantheon in
Rome. Foundation Stone laid in
1506
2. Giuliano Sangallo
Upon death of Julius II in 1513
3. Fra Giocondo
4. Raphael
Proposed a Latin cross pIan.
Died
5. Baldassare Peruzzi
Reverted to Greek cross.
Died
6. Antonio da Sangallo
Slightly altered plan -
extended vestibule and campanile
and elaborated the central dome.
Died
7. Michelangelo
Undertook the project at 72
years old - present building owes
most of its outstanding features to
him. Greek-cross plan,
strengthened dome, redesigned
surrounding chapels
8. Giacomo delta Porta
9. Domenico Fontana
Completed dome in 1590
10. Vignola
Added sided cupolas
11. Carlo Maderna
Lengthened nave to form
Latin cross and built the gigantic
facade
12. Bernini
Erected noble entrance
piazza 198 m wide with Tuscan
colonnade. Completed plan is a
Latin cross with an internal length
of 183 m, width of 137 m. At
crossing, majestic dome of 41.9 m
internal diameter. Largest church
in the world.
French Renaissance
Country Houses - took the place Of
fortified castles.
Some examples:
• Chateau de Justice, Rouen
• Chateau d'O, Mortree
• Chateau¯de Josselin
• Chateau de Blois
• Chateau d'Azay-Rideau
• Chateau de Chenonceaux
• Chateau de Maisons
 - One of the most harmonious
of all chateaux
- Designed by Francois
Mansart on a symmetrical E-
plan
• Palaise du Louvre, Paris
- Built from Francis I to
Napoleon Ill
- Together with Tuilleries, 45
acres constituting one of the
most imposing palaces in
Europe
England
PERIODS:
ELIZABETHAN (1558 to 1603 AD)
• During the reign of Queen Elizabeth
• Establishment of Renaissance style
in England, followed Tudor
architecture.
• Transition style with Gothic
features and Renaissance detail
JACOBEAN (1603 to 1625 AD)
STUART (1625 to 1702 AD)
• 1st Phase: Inigo Jones was
influenced by Italian Renaissance
• 2nd Phase: Christopher Wren was
influenced by French Renaissance
GEORGIAN (1702 to 1830 AD)
ELIZABETHAN MANSIONS
Statesmen, merchants and gentry built
mansions in the countryside to suit their
position. E-shaped plan or H-shaped
plan
Features:
• Towers
• Gable roof
• Parapets
• Balustrade
• Chimneystacks
• Bay & oriel window
• Topiary work- landscaping
sculpture
 Queen's House

- Influenced by Palladian
architecture

St. Paul's Cathedral, London

Elements:
- Designed by Christopher Wren
• Great hall
- Area of 6000 sq.m and a large
• Grand staircase
central space under dome for
• Long Gallery (upper floor) - most
big congregations
striking feature
• Solar (with drawing room) -
warmest room

STUART BUILDINGS GEORGIAN HOUSES

Banqueting House, Whitehall, London
- Designed by Inigo Jones
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
- Most monumental mansion in
England
- Example of central block with
wings
 • Churrigueresque, fantastically
extravagant expression, by Jose
de Churriguera, (1650 to 1723 AD)

ANTIQUARIAN PERIOD (1750 to 1830 AD)

• Returned to ancient classical

models
Spain and Portugal

EARLY PERIOD (1492 to 1556 AD)

• Grafting Renaissance details unto

Gothic forms

In Spain:
Plateresque facade of the University of
• Plateresque, rich and poetic style, so
Salamanca
named for its similarity to
silvermiths’ work – plateria
• Influenced by Moorish art –
extremely florid and decorative,
from the minuteness of detail.

In Portugal:

• Manueline Style (from King Manuel I,

1495 to 1521 AD)
• Decorative rather than structural in
character, inspired by the voyages
of discoverers. The Escorial, Madrid
CLASSICAL PERIOD (1556 to 1690 AD) • Austere group of buildings,
• Close adherence to Italian composed of the monastery. college,
Renaissance art church and palace with state
apartments.
BAROQUE PERIOD (1650 to 1750 AD)

• Classical rules disregarded