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This is the tenth programme for students of "the Third Level Arts Course, "Art in Italy 1480-1520''. Palladio is responsible for the creation of an architectural style and a type of villa... which has inspired architects ever since. Tim Benton, Senior Lecturer in Art History at the Open University, shows how Palladio drew inspiration from studying the ruins of ancient Rome and how he was able to adapt what he learnt to the practical needs of Venetian patrons. The programme compares the magnificent Villa Malcontenta, a pleasure villa (or villa sub-urbana) on the mainland near Venice, with the more remote working farm-villa (or casa in villa) at Pojana Maggiori. Tim Benton looks in detail at the Villa Pojana showing how it was designed to function; basements and attics were made for storing wine and grain while the first floor contained the living quarters and hall where the Pojana family could receive visitors or hold festivals. The third villa represents a combination of the two types, the Villa Badoer, being both the centre of a working farm and an extremely grandiose villa. In providing Venetian noblemen with villas of this kind, Palladio was giving them status, not just as wealthy property owners, but as cultivated people whose life style reflected that of the ancient Romans.
This is the tenth programme for students of "the Third Level Arts Course, "Art in Italy 1480-1520''. Palladio is responsible for the creation of an architectural style and a type of villa... which has inspired architects ever since. Tim Benton, Senior Lecturer in Art History at the Open University, shows how Palladio drew inspiration from studying the ruins of ancient Rome and how he was able to adapt what he learnt to the practical needs of Venetian patrons. The programme compares the magnificent Villa Malcontenta, a pleasure villa (or villa sub-urbana) on the mainland near Venice, with the more remote working farm-villa (or casa in villa) at Pojana Maggiori. Tim Benton looks in detail at the Villa Pojana showing how it was designed to function; basements and attics were made for storing wine and grain while the first floor contained the living quarters and hall where the Pojana family could receive visitors or hold festivals. The third villa represents a combination of the two types, the Villa Badoer, being both the centre of a working farm and an extremely grandiose villa. In providing Venetian noblemen with villas of this kind, Palladio was giving them status, not just as wealthy property owners, but as cultivated people whose life style reflected that of the ancient Romans.
| Module code and title: | A352, Art in Italy 1480-1580 |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A352; 10 |
| First transmission date: | 19-09-1979 |
| Published: | 1979 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:20 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Nick Levinson |
| Contributor: | Tim Benton |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Palladian architecture; Palladio; Renaissance art; Roman architecture; Villa Badoer; Villa Malcontenta |
| Footage description: | The programme opens with shots of Venice, over which Troughton reads Palladio's views on the merits of the country villa. Prints of Palladio Villa Malcontenta, then film of its exterior with music over. Film of the great sala of the villa, with a brief description of the room by Palladio. Tim Benton adds his comments on the architectural merits of the exterior. The structure of the villa is shown by means of Palladio's drawings and floor plans. Over a variety of interior views another quotation from Palladio is read concerning the arrangement of rooms within a house. Shots of the downstairs hall, with a brief comment from Benton. In the studio Benton uses a map of Veneto to show the location of the Villa Malcontenta and of another Palladian house, the Villa Pojana Maggore. Shots of the old medieval house adjacent to the latter. Shots of the farmland that provides the setting for the Villa Pojana Maggore. Palladio's drawings for the Villa Pojana Maggore are shown. Film of a wing added to the Villa in 1615. Benton relates this work to the Palladian plan. Quotes from Palladio emphasise the functional nature of much of the work at this site. Film of the wine and food cellars in the house then of the granaries in the attic. Benton comments in voice-over on all these features. Film, with Benton's commentary, of the facade of the villa Pojana Maggore, then of the interior of the portico. Next the large central sala is examined, followed by the private apartments where the wall paintings are studied. Reference is made to the Vitruvius. The painted version of Vitruvius' Corinthian Hall is examined in detail. The adjoining portico is also studied. Over further film of the villa's exterior Benton describes the artists who influenced Palladio and indicates classical features in the building. In the studio Benton shows the location of another P'alladian masterpiece, the Villa Badoer at Frata Polesine. Palladio's drawings of ideal villas are shown, and Benton relates the Villa Badoer to these ideals. Film of the grounds and exterior of the villa over which Troughton reads Palladio's description of its format. Benton concludes with high praise for the Villa Badoer. |
| Master spool number: | 72919 |
| Production number: | FOUA039D |
| Videofinder number: | 827 |
| Available to public: | no |
