La Rotonda by iandsmith
There was a man I used to know and we used to call him "Rotundo" due to his excessive girth. I don't know why I mentioned that here, it suddenly crossed my mind and I thought I'd share it with you.All of which has nothing to do with Palladio's best known and copied work, La Rotonda (1550-1552).Canon Paolo Almerico thought it might make a nice retirement home, the sort of one you can afford it you have lots of money.
Simplistic geometry overlapping itself is all it took to make this standout attraction.
A dome above a cube and colonnaded entrances all round have a simple symmetry that leaves a lasting impression on the viewer and the four corners perfectly aligned with the cardinal points make the maximum use of light and shade on the walls.
It was commenced at the same time Palladio got his first public commission (1550) and completed two years later.
The four facades have pronaos with six ionic columns and a staircase. The dome, by Vincenzo Scamozzi, was altered from Palladio's original plans by lowering it.
Inside, one of the features is Veronese's "Banquet of Gregory the Great" and, while on the subject of artistry, it was also featured in a 1979 film called Don Giovanni.
The chapel, meant to have been close by, was not built until after the palace was sold and was then erected across the road.
