Art History Throw Back

Thanks to the Women's Committee of Carnegie Museum of Art, yesterday there was free admission to the Carnegie Natural History and Art museum.  A few weekends ago I made a quick visit, but did not have time to fit it all in, so I did battle yesterday to hit up some of the exhibits I skipped over.

One of the things I came across was an exhibit in the Heinze Architectural Center, Palladio and His Legacy.  This traveling exhibition sponsored by the Royal Institute of British Architects brings some of his original books and drawings out of the archives.

During the 16th Century he became one of the most influential architects in the Western world.  While the majority of his influence came from ancient architecture (Vitruvius), he also began to push the boundaries and use the new engineering and construction techniques of the Renaissance.  Not only did he change the architectural layout of homes owned by the wealthy, but he also created a new configuration for Catholic churches. 

If any of you have been to Italy, you have probably seen some of his work.  One of the most notable is the basilica of San Giorgio on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, across from St. Mark's Square. 

He was also known for his Four Books on Architecture.  Two hundred years after its original publication, the books vame to the United States.  They served as a major source of inspiration for Thomas Jefferson, think Monticello, and some of the early monuments in DC designed by John Russel Pope like the National Archives.