Vicenza, birthplace of Andrea Palladio, has organized a major tribute to the great 16 th century architect to mark the 500 th anniversary of his birth. An exhibition in Palazzo Barbaran da Porto gives a wide-ranging view of his life and works and includes several of the scale models he built, the famous portrait made by El Greco around 1572, when the architect was in his 60s, drawings, manuscripts, maps, books and coins, as well as paintings by Canaletto that feature some of the buildings he created. As a note of interest, Palladio was a humble millers son and the name he became known by was a nome d'arte, inspired by the Greek goddess Pallas Athena. Palladios influence on western architecture was immense and has left a lasting legacy in many of the most important buildings in the world today.
Palladio 500 Years runs until the 6 th January 2009 at Vicenza.
For information: Te. (0039)(0444)323014- www.andreapalladio500.it
