Palladianism

Palladianism refers to an architectural style that was evolved by the humanist and theorist from Vicenza, Andrea Palladio (1508- 80). "Palladio felt that architecture should be governed by reason and by the principles of classical antiquity as it was known in surviving buildings and writings of the 1st-century-BC architect and theorist Vitruvius" ("Palladianism").

Palladian style developed in England mainly in the 17th century, introduced by Inigo Jones. Palladianism is characterised by "clarity, order and symmetry" (as reflections of rationality), and combines this with an elaborate use of "classical forms and decorative motifs" (ibid.) Key buildings in England exhibiting this style were the Queen's House, Greenwich (completed in 1635), the Banqueting House, Whitehall (1619-22), and the Queen’s Chapel at St James Palace (1623).

In the 18th century Palladianism experienced a second revival and spread to other European countries as well as to American colonies.

Source

"Palladianism." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 20 Jul. 2009 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/439906/Palladianism>.