Palladio

   

                Andrea de Palladio was born into a time in which traditions and customs of the last hundreds of years were being challenged. With the Reformation starting around 1517, a more or less revamp of the views or the Catholic Church, this gave Palladio fettle grounds to start his own revolution is a sense of architecture. Palladio tended to 'borrow freely' from past eras of design, more specifically ancient Roman and Greek architecture, and brought them to light with a whole new meaning in a time of change for the common man's way of belief. For instance, looking back on Greek architecture, we see the use of massive columns and grand temple-style facades used in only the most important structures around the state - which can be classified into churches and temples for the God's (Pantheon). As Palladio progresses onto the scene, we see this type of grandeur design take place not only in the largest of churches and temples, but also in city hall's and courthouses; and finally even onto private property in aristocratic villas. Palladioism architecture became more of a symbol of the powerful and wealthy, as well as for aesthetic pleasure. This continues today, just go look at your local courthouse.