Villa Farnesina

Question 1

Function?

Answer 1

The Villa Surbana of the Chigi family.

Question 2

Classical design?

Answer 2

Consists of a central portal flanked by four bays on either side, creating an entirely symmetrical composition. The entire building is divided into three blocks, with the two blocks on either side projecting outwards into the courtyard.

Question 3

U shaped plan?

Answer 3

Longest room is open to the River Tiber to let the breeze flow through.

Question 4

Two projecting blocks?

Answer 4

Allows for shelter from the summer heat.

Question 5

Bays?

Answer 5

Articulated by engaged pilasters.

Question 6

Horizontal banding?

Answer 6

Complements the verticality of the pilasters.

Question 7

Bifora windows?

Answer 7

Echo the verticality of the columns.

Question 8

Dentilated Cornice?

Answer 8

Crowns the top of the building.

Question 9

Attic storey?

Answer 9

Embellished with terracotta festoons on the façade – symbolizes love and fertility.

Question 10

Influence of Renaissance style?

Answer 10

Follows a mathematical structure of stability – recalls the renewed interest in Classical architecture and the writing of Vitruvius.

Question 11

Status of the building as a summerhouse?

Answer 11

The villa was also called Viridario, or ‘Roman pleasure garden’ for its lush Tiber gardens. These gardens were of a regular planting scheme, which reveals his control over his household and business empire.

Question 12

Wealth/status/personality of Chigi?

Answer 12

Famously held lavish banquets in the loggia from which golden plates were tossed into the River Tiber in order to impress guests with his wealth. The Loggia di Galatea on the pianterreno (ground floor) contained mythological scenes of a romantic and erotic nature, reflecting Chiggi’s notorious womanising nature.

Question 13

Frescoes of Raphael?

Answer 13

The state room, theLodge of Cupid and Psyche, features Raphael’s pictorial cycle. The artist was inspired by the myth of Cupid and Psyche. The story of Cupid and Psyche alluded to Chigi’s forthcoming wedding to Francesca Ordeaschi, reflecting the Platonic assumption of the Latin novelist that divine love makes human beings immortal.

Question 14

Renewed interest in classical architecture

Answer 14

Brunelleschi had revived the Classical style of architecture in Florence. Particularly seen in the classical orders, projecting cornince and Roman arches. Humanists thought that geometric principles could unlock the mysteries of the universe and reveal the intentions of God – seen here in the emphasis on proportion, balance and symmetry.

Question 15

Influence of Alberti/Vitruvius?

Answer 15

Vitruvius’s De Architectura (a classical guide for building projects) was rediscovered in 1414. Renaissance architect Alberti revived these classical principles of architecture in his treatise De Architectura (1450).

Question 16

Patronage in Renaissance Rome?

Answer 16

Regarded as the second Renaissancecapital, after Florence. Roman Renaissance architects derived their main designs and inspirations from classical models. Patronsin Rome tended to be important officials of the Catholic Church, and buildings are generally religious or palatial in function.

Question 17

Chigi?

Answer 17

Member of an ancient and illustrious family. Chigi was papal banker and was close to Pope Leo X who would legitimise his children, even if they were born out of wedlock. Chigi lived in Villa Farnesina with a number of women, courtesans and mistresses.

Question 18

Sgraffito?

Answer 18

The walls were originally embellished by the employment of sgraffito, giving an ornamental quality for Chigi’s pleasure villa.

Question 19

Terracotta?

Answer 19

Terracotta stonework of decorative garlands were used on the upper storey.

Question 20

Plaster?

Answer 20

Plain plastered walls contrast with the lavish frescoes by Raphael.

Question 21

Villa Surbana/Roman Architecture?

Answer 21

It was conventional for sixteenth century wealthy patrons to commission Villa Suburbanas just outside the city of Rome to retreat to during the hot summers. They were more open-plan in nature in contrast to the defensive urban palazzos such as the Palazzo Medici.