citizenship biography
Andrea Palladio: an outstanding venetian citizen
Most people know Andrea Palladio, even if they do not realize it. His influence is seen around the world from his home in the republic of Venice, throughout Italy and the rest of Europe all the way to the United States. During his life, however, his biggest impact was in Vicenza and its surrounding areas, including Venice. Some of his greatest accomplishments in Venice include San Francesco della Vigna, Il Redentore and San Giorgio Maggiore. These buildings are not merely historical structures but they are also monuments, revered by many, that are evidence of Palladio’s impact in Venice. During my studies as an Art History major, I have certainly developed a love for Palladio and his style of architecture. However, that was not the sole reason for my decision. This unique opportunity to compare his phenomenal accomplishments to his citizenship, albeit challenging, is incredibly interesting. In this paper, I argue that Palladio is an example of an ideal citizen because he fulfilled his duty to his community by giving back to them through his architectural masterpieces.
Machiavelli claims that an individual should recognize both ones duties to oneself and ones duties to others (Machiavelli). Often it is easy to be faithful to one’s own duties, but we often find it difficult to identify one’s duties to someone or something else. The ideal citizen is one who fully realizes what his or her duties are to another individual or place. This is because citizenship fundamentally describes the interactive relationship between a person and a location. Because citizens receive from their community, the ideal citizen is one who also gives back to their community. This is their duty as individual, according to Machiavelli, but I argue that it is also their duty as a citizen. Using this definition of citizenship, I argue that Palladio is an example of an ideal citizen of Venice. Born and raised in Vicenza, Palladio constructed buildings mostly around his native north-eastern Italy, although his influence spread much further than that. Palladio is an ideal citizen of the region of Venezia because he spent his life doing what he loved and through that gave back to the region that gave birth to him. He perfectly balanced his duties to himself through finding his passion with his citizen duties to Venice by creating the beautiful architecture that we see.
One of Venice’s most noticed buildings is the San Giorgio Maggiore, a Palladian masterpiece. However, this “grand monastic church” was just one of the many “gems” that Palladio designed perfectly (Glancy). The iconic view of this building can be seen at the traditional entrance of the city. From the balcony of the Doge’s Palace or from the opening of Palazzo San Marco, tourists and locals alike can gaze upon the stark white, symmetrical frontal façade of this architectural work of art. This church is one of the ways in which Palladio has given back to the Venetian community through architecture. Through constructing this masterpiece for the city of Venice, Palladio is fulfilling his duty as a citizen. This is an example of how Palladio is an exemplary citizen of Venice.
Additionally Palladio was an ideal citizen because of the reputation that he created for Venice. Through his beautiful architecture, he influenced later architects who spread his designs all over the world. He was even the inspiration behind the construction of many of the major buildings in Washington D.C. Thomas Jefferson, one of Washington D.C.’s key architects used what he knew of Palladianism to design many of the buildings in our nation’s capital. Although his influence has been widespread, Palladio’s style will always be connected to the republic of Venice. This was Palladio’s unintentional gift to Venice. Because of his superior stature in the world of architecture and his connection to Venice, Palladio was able to help bring fame to Venetian architecture, thus making him an ideal citizen for framing Venice in such an important and reverent light.
Despite his architectural dominance, Palladio was not actually as influential in his home region as he was throughout the rest of the world. However, Venice is such an eclectic mix of architectural styles and time periods, it is easy to miss the architectural contributions that Palladio gave to Venice. Although Palladio may have tried to impact Venetian architecture, his influence here has, ironically, not been as significant as his worldwide presence.
Although this may be the case, the city of Venice should still take pride in and cherish the architectural gifts given to them by one of their most famous citizens, Andrea Palladio. Regardless of the size of his architectural contribution to his home region, Palladio is still an exemplary citizen for his willingness to give back to his community.
Machiavelli claims that an individual should recognize both ones duties to oneself and ones duties to others (Machiavelli). Often it is easy to be faithful to one’s own duties, but we often find it difficult to identify one’s duties to someone or something else. The ideal citizen is one who fully realizes what his or her duties are to another individual or place. This is because citizenship fundamentally describes the interactive relationship between a person and a location. Because citizens receive from their community, the ideal citizen is one who also gives back to their community. This is their duty as individual, according to Machiavelli, but I argue that it is also their duty as a citizen. Using this definition of citizenship, I argue that Palladio is an example of an ideal citizen of Venice. Born and raised in Vicenza, Palladio constructed buildings mostly around his native north-eastern Italy, although his influence spread much further than that. Palladio is an ideal citizen of the region of Venezia because he spent his life doing what he loved and through that gave back to the region that gave birth to him. He perfectly balanced his duties to himself through finding his passion with his citizen duties to Venice by creating the beautiful architecture that we see.
One of Venice’s most noticed buildings is the San Giorgio Maggiore, a Palladian masterpiece. However, this “grand monastic church” was just one of the many “gems” that Palladio designed perfectly (Glancy). The iconic view of this building can be seen at the traditional entrance of the city. From the balcony of the Doge’s Palace or from the opening of Palazzo San Marco, tourists and locals alike can gaze upon the stark white, symmetrical frontal façade of this architectural work of art. This church is one of the ways in which Palladio has given back to the Venetian community through architecture. Through constructing this masterpiece for the city of Venice, Palladio is fulfilling his duty as a citizen. This is an example of how Palladio is an exemplary citizen of Venice.
Additionally Palladio was an ideal citizen because of the reputation that he created for Venice. Through his beautiful architecture, he influenced later architects who spread his designs all over the world. He was even the inspiration behind the construction of many of the major buildings in Washington D.C. Thomas Jefferson, one of Washington D.C.’s key architects used what he knew of Palladianism to design many of the buildings in our nation’s capital. Although his influence has been widespread, Palladio’s style will always be connected to the republic of Venice. This was Palladio’s unintentional gift to Venice. Because of his superior stature in the world of architecture and his connection to Venice, Palladio was able to help bring fame to Venetian architecture, thus making him an ideal citizen for framing Venice in such an important and reverent light.
Despite his architectural dominance, Palladio was not actually as influential in his home region as he was throughout the rest of the world. However, Venice is such an eclectic mix of architectural styles and time periods, it is easy to miss the architectural contributions that Palladio gave to Venice. Although Palladio may have tried to impact Venetian architecture, his influence here has, ironically, not been as significant as his worldwide presence.
Although this may be the case, the city of Venice should still take pride in and cherish the architectural gifts given to them by one of their most famous citizens, Andrea Palladio. Regardless of the size of his architectural contribution to his home region, Palladio is still an exemplary citizen for his willingness to give back to his community.