Palazzo Rucellai

Leonbattista Alberti
c. 1452-1470

	The front facade Alberti designed a rational "skin" for this palace--a type of "screen" architecture in which the classical elements provide no support structure. All three stories are of equal height with flat pilasters supporting a classical entablature. Imitating in part the Colosseum, the capitals vary from Tuscan (bottom story), to Alberti's own invention (acanthus leaves with a center palmette), to Corinthian on the top story.
Alberti's invented capital (in Classical architecture the second story would have used the Ionic order) and the severe Tuscan order of the bottom story
The windows of the second story (left) and top story (right)
The massive Classical cornice and detail of the Corinthian capital of the top story

Click here to see an earlier Renaissance palace in Florence--the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi.

Click here to return to places index.

Click here to return to index of artists and architects.