Palladio at Work

The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) presents Palladio at Work, curated by Guido Beltramini with the collaboration of Charles Hind. On view in the museum's Octagonal Gallery from 3 March until 22 May 2011, the focused examination of 15 drawings by the late Italian Renaissance master Andrea Palladio (1508-1580), from the collections of the Royal Institute of British Architects, also includes his influential book I Quattro Libri dell'Architettura (1570) and other material from the CCA Collection. Guido Beltramini addresses contemporary questions and gives new insight on Palladio's working method through extensive annotations in the form of diverse reference materials, images, and texts.

For Palladio, who was introduced to draftsmanship as a stonecutter at the age of thirteen, drawing played a central role: it was his tool for acquiring knowledge, for measuring and for constructing, as well as his way to earn a living. Palladio at Work invites an investigation of his drawings not simply for their aesthetic beauty, but as a way to better understand this influential architect's working process. By analyzing how Palladio constructed different types of drawings for different purposes – such as personal inspiration, persuading clients, or publishing – the exhibition brings visitors closer to his visionary thinking. The fact that just three of the sixteen projects on view in the exhibition were built only emphasizes the important role paper plays in preserving and understanding Palladio's work and legacy.

CCA Executive Director and Chief Curator Mirko Zardini states, "At the CCA we are always concerned with the working process, and our Collection is focused on preserving archives that encourage scholarship and better understanding of architects' thinking and methods. In line with this mandate, this exhibition offers our visitors an exciting new context for Palladio's historical material, with a character not unlike that of a university seminar." The exhibition distinguishes itself from others on the architect by investigating a concentrated body of his work from a contemporary perspective.

"The drawings selected for this exhibition create an itinerary that enables us to see Palladio at work, as if we were looking over his shoulder. We will try to witness how his ideas arise when he sets himself before a blank paper, thereby understanding his sources of inspiration, and how he shapes them for his own needs," said Guido Beltramini.

Palladio at Work has been produced in collaboration with the Royal Institute of British Architects and Centro internazionale di studi di architettura Andrea Palladio. Palladio drawings in the exhibition are from the unique collection held by the Royal Institute of British Architects. The exhibition is curated by Guido Beltramini with the collaboration of Charles Hind.

Until 22 May 2011
Palladio at Work
CCA, Centre Canadien d'Architecture, Montréal