“Oh, if you’ve seen one Palladian interior you’ve seen them all,” I spouted in that know-it-all way that I can. Beep: WRONG. We spent this last week in Vicenza, visiting several Palladian architectural marvels, all unique, all lovely. You would have thought they were just designed and built in 2025, even though they have been standing since the mid 1500s. That’s timeless.
We stayed in a lovely large apartment in an estate, which was walking distance from the best well known Palladian construction: Villa Rotunda (villa Almerico Capra Valmarana, known as La Rotunda). It was designed and initiated by Palladio, and finished around 1600 (he died in 1580). The setting, the design, and of course “the rotunda” mark this as Palladio’s most significant villa. Another villa adjoined our parking lot, “ai Nani”. It was built by Muttoni, but contains a portrait of Palladio. It had three structures and has the most wonderful, unmistakable Tiepolo fresco. |
|
 | Teatro Olimpico |
|
We visited two commercial buildings by Palladio: the Basilica in Vicenza and the Teatro Olimpico. The theatre was also completed after Palladio’s death. The trompe-l'œil onstage scenery, a very remarkable element, was designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi to give the appearance of long streets receding to a distant horizon. It was installed in 1585 for the first performance held in the theatre, and is the oldest surviving stage set still in existence.
I think our favorite of the villas was La Malcontenta (villa Foscari), nicknamed after the unhappy wife of one of the Foscari brothers, the owners). It is, like La Rotunda, a cross plan around a central hall. The hall was extraordinarily beautiful, with windows and desks set toward a fabulous lawn. This villa had the best furniture and frescoes, at least in my opinion. It was set on a canal across the water from Venice. We made a foray to Venice, my lifetime favorite city, while we were in the area. |
|
| On our last day we went to Villa di Maser (Villa Barbaro), our furthest trek. This was a very different style, with two large wings overlooking a lawn, toward a church. The exterior had loggias, with two very large sundials above. It was a larger estate, that had horses, and agricultural uses. It was eventually owned by the founder of the Venice film festival, and members of his family still live there. Veronese was responsible for many remaining frescoes. |
|
Villa Barbaro (Villa di Maser) |
|
| There are more than 20 Palladian villas in the Vicenza region. We went on the trip without much planning – I hadn’t thought I would like the architectural tour so much. We really went to see friends, and drive them around: Blair went to architecture school with one of the other couple. I did almost no artwork there – to draw a straight line for me is nearly impossible. I hope to use some of the photos to interpret some looser impressions in the coming weeks. |
|
 | Sketch of Villa Rotunda by Blair Pessemier (using color and no straight lines) |
|
HOUSEKEEPING:
We make art to order, including portraits by Blair Pessemier.
Follow us on Instagram @lauriepessemier
See all of our painting at https://paintfox.com or buy at www.pessemierstudios.com (or write to me)
Most of our work is available as reproductions, custom sized and framed. |
|
INVITING All Artists to present their Work: Paint, Literature, Crafts, Food....
Pessemier's Sunday Salon
Weekly on Sunday No Reservation Necessary
How it works: Bring a piece of your ART: that could be visual, like painting or printmaking; or literary, as in poetry or prose; or crafts, like metalwork or knitting; or food, or music. Something you made, or feel particularly inspired by. You have about 5 minutes to present, and we'll ooh, ahh, or answer questions you have. You can also come and see how we work before diving in. Just show up on Zoom at a minute or two before the hour.
No selling, no networking until after everyone has presented. No politics, no sales pitches, please. |
|
|
