architectura

In the first chapter of the first book of De architectura, Vitruvius asserts that natural talent requires the discipline provided by precepts: "Neither talent without instruction nor instruction without talent can produce the perfect craftsman" (De architectura, 1.1.3).

Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008

Such an event (and the machinery it required) offered ample opportunity for an architect to display his "careful foresight" and the resourcefulness of his "highly trained intelligence," as Vitruvius relates in his preface to the final book of De architectura.

Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008

Note 160: Vitruvius, De architectura, 10.1.1. back

Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008

To avoid such torment and remorse, Francesco di Giorgio reinforces Vitruvius's advice (De architectura, 1.1.1) that an architect should keep two notions foremost in the mind — fabrica (fabrication) and raciocinatione (reasoning).

Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008

Note 79: The debate over the relation of practice and theory was well worn by the time of Vitruvius, as evidenced in De architectura, 1.1.2. back

Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008

Columella De re rustica 8.8, 9.12.2, respectively: I.V. #438; Vitruvius, De architectura, 10.9.2. back

Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008

Note 111: Granger, "Vitruvius and the Craftsmen of Rome," De architectura, 2: xxv. back

Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008

Note 110: Granger, Introduction to Vitruvius's De architectura, 2: xxv. back

Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008

Note 161: Vitruvius, De architectura, 10.1.3. back

Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008

Even further rhetorical invention may be deduced from the east wall considering the broad interests of Francesco di Giorgio, who is generally regarded as the "author" of this area of the Urbino studiolo. 57 In 1475 or 1476, di Giorgio presented a volume of architectural drawings to Federico, the Opusculum de architectura, that offered his services to the duke as Dinocrates had to Alexander the Great and Vitruvius had to Caesar Augustus.

Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008