“The Palazzo Barbarano. — This is interesting in many ways, because Palladio shows his original design and also that which was actually carried out. In plan, this has an entrance leading to a large columned hall beyond which is an open court. As to the facade, each storey has its own order, whereas in the original design one Corinthian order of semi-columns resting on a podium was carried through two storeys.
There is no doubt that the second or executed design is immeasurably superior. On the ground floor the wall space between the Ionic half columns is rusticated and the windows have flat arches ; the abundance of wall space giving the necessary strength which a ground storey should possess. Exception might be taken to the impost moulding upon which these arches rest, as being unnecessary. 1 he upper storey is in Palladio s most ornate manner 1 he windows have architraves and consoles supporting pediments, alternately triangular and segmental, upon which are placed re- clining figures. The podium to these windows is pierced with balustrades, while the Corinthian columns are unfluted and rest upon a continuous block immediately over the cornice of the lower order. An attic plainly treated with square windows crowns the whole building, the columnar lines being carried up and supporting statues. The illus- tration shows the successful angle treatment of the Ionic shaft to the ground storey — a difficulty which the Greeks never quite surmounted. The influence of Palladio’s study in Rome is shown in the absence of the pedestal to the columns. Although built in brick and stucco, this palace must always remain a triumph of art over matter…”
(Andrea Palladio, his life and works by Sir Fletcher, Banister. London 1902)
“The Palazzo Barbarano. — This is interesting in many ways, because Palladio shows his original design and also that which was actually carried out. In plan, this has an entrance leading to a large columned hall beyond which is an open court. As to the facade, each storey has its own order, whereas in the original design one Corinthian order of semi-columns resting on a podium was carried through two storeys.
There is no doubt that the second or executed design is immeasurably superior. On the ground floor the wall space between the Ionic half columns is rusticated and the windows have flat arches ; the abundance of wall space giving the necessary strength which a ground storey should possess. Exception might be taken to the impost moulding upon which these arches rest, as being unnecessary. 1 he upper storey is in Palladio s most ornate manner 1 he windows have architraves and consoles supporting pediments, alternately triangular and segmental, upon which are placed re- clining figures. The podium to these windows is pierced with balustrades, while the Corinthian columns are unfluted and rest upon a continuous block immediately over the cornice of the lower order. An attic plainly treated with square windows crowns the whole building, the columnar lines being carried up and supporting statues. The illus- tration shows the successful angle treatment of the Ionic shaft to the ground storey — a difficulty which the Greeks never quite surmounted. The influence of Palladio’s study in Rome is shown in the absence of the pedestal to the columns. Although built in brick and stucco, this palace must always remain a triumph of art over matter…”
(Andrea Palladio, his life and works by Sir Fletcher, Banister. London 1902)