3/9/2021 Renaissance Gardens - from Leone Battista Alberti Ten Books on Architecture

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History and theory of garden design and landscape architecture > Garden and Landscape Articles > European
garden history > Renaissance Gardens - from Leone Battista Alberti Ten Books on Architecture

Renaissance Gardens - from Leone Battista Alberti

Site planning Gardens and courts Climatic design Views Seasonal parlours Adult bedrooms Vigrins and young
ladies Husbands and wives Sons and service rooms Storage rooms Dung and toilets

Leone Battista Alberti's comments on gardens, inspired by those of Vitruvius, were influential. Georgina
Masson, in her book on Italian gardens, wrote that he 'probably exercised a greater influence upon Early
Renaissance garden design than any other architectural author of this time'. Patrick Goode, in the Oxford
Companion to Gardens refers to Leone Battista Alberti's 'great influence on garden design' and gives the Vill
Medici at Fiesole (see plan below) as an example of his principles.

This webpage is a transcription, imperfectly edited by Tom Turner, of Chapter 7 of the fifth book of Leone
Battista Alberti's Ten books on architecture. It is subtitled: Of the country house for a gentleman; its various
parts, and the proper disposition of each of these parts.

Site planning

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3/9/2021 Renaissance Gardens - from Leone Battista Alberti Ten Books on Architecture

Some are of the opinion that a gentleman's country house should have quite different conveniences for summer
and for winter; and the rules they give for this purpose are these: the bed-chambers for the winter should look
towards the point at which the sun rises in winter, and the parlour, towards the equinodial sun-setting; whereas
the bed-chambers for summer should look to the south, the parlours, to the winter sun-rising, and the portico or
place for walking in, to the south. But, in my opinion, all these conveniences ought to be varied according to the
difference of the country and climate, so as to temper heat by cold and dry by moist. I do not think it necessary
for the gentleman's house to stand in the most fruitful part of his whole estate, but rather in the most honourable,
where he can uncontrolled enjoy all the pleasures and conveniences of Air, Sun, and fine prospects, go down
easily at any time into his estate, receive strangers handsomely and spaciously, be seen by passengers for a good
way round, and have a view of some city, towns, the sea, an open plain, and the tops of some known hills and
mountains.

Gardens and courts

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Let him have the delights of gardens, and the diversions of fishing and hunting close under his eye. We have in
another place observed, that of the different members of a house, some belong to the whole family in general,
others to a certain number of persons in it, and others again only to one or more persons separately. In our
country house, with regard to those members which belong to the whole family in general, let us imitate the
prince's palace. Before the door let there be a large open space, for the exercises either of chariot or hone racing,
much longer than a youth can either draw a bow or throw a dart. Within the house, with regard to those
conveniences necessary for a number of persons in the family, let there not be wanting open places for walking,
swimming, and other diversions, court-yards, grass-plots and porticoes, where the old men may chat together in
the kindly warmth of the sun in winter, and where the family may divert themselves and enjoy the shade in
summer. It is manifest some parts of the house are for the family themselves, and others for the things necessary
and useful to the family. The family consists of the following persons: the husband, the wife, their children and
relations, and all the different sorts of servants attendant upon these; besides which, guests too are to be
reckoned as part of the family. The things useful to the family are provisions and all manner of necessities, such
as cloths, arms, books, and horses also. The principal member of the whole building, is that which (whatever
names others may give it) I shall call the courtyard with its portico; next to this is the parlour, within this the
bed-chambers, and lastly, the private rooms for the particular uses of each person in the family. The other
members of the house are sufficiently known by their uses. The courtyard therefore is the principal member, to
which all the other smaller members must correspond, as being in a manner a public market-place to the whole
house, which from this courtyard derives all the advantages of communication and light. For this reason every
one desires to have his courtyard as spacious, large, open, handsome and convenient as possible. Some content
themselves with one courtyard, others are for having more, and for enclosing them all with very high walls, or
some with higher and some with lower; and they are for having them some covered and others open, and others
again half covered and half uncovered; in some they would have a portico only on one side, in others on two or
more, and in others all round; and these porticoes, lastly, some would build with flat, others with arched roofs.
Upon these heads I have nothing more to say.

Climate Top

Regard must be had to the climate and season, and to necessity and convenience; so as in cold countries to ward
against the bleak north wind, and the severity of the air and soil; and in hot climates, to avoid the troublesome
and scorching rays of the sun. admit the pleasantest breezes on all sides, and such a grateful quantity of light as
is necessary; but do not let your courtyard be exposed to any noxious vapours exhaled from any damp place, nor
to frequent hasty showers from some overlooking hill in the neighbourhood. Exactly answering the middle of
your courtyard place your entrance, with a handsome vestibule, neither narrow, difficult or obscure. Let the first
room that offers itself be a chapel dedicated to god, with its altar, where strangers and guests may offer their
devotions, beginning their friendship by religion; and where the father of the family may put up his prayers for
the peace of his house and the welfare of his relations. here let him embrace those who come to visit him, and if
any cause be referred to him by his friends, or he has any other serious business of that nature to transact, let him
do it in this place. Nothing is handsomer in the middle of the portico, than windows of glass, through which you
may receive the pleasure either of sun or air, according to the season. Martial says, that windows looking to the
south, receive a pure sun and a clear light; and the ancients thought it best to place their porticoes fronting the
south, because the sun in summer running his course higher, did not throw in his rays, where they would enter in
winter.

Views

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The prospect of hills to the south, when those hills, on the side which you have a view of, are continually
covered with clouds and vapours, is not very pleasant, if they are at a great distance; and if they are near, and in
a manner just over your head, they will incommode you with chill shadows and cold rimes; but if they are at a
convenient distance, they are both pleasant and convenient, because they defend you from the southern winds.
Hills towards the north reverberating the rays of the sun, increase the heat; but at a pretty good distance, they are
very delightful, because the clearness of the air, which is always serene in such a situation, and the brightness of
the sun, which it always enjoys, is extremely cheerful to the sight. Hills to the east and so likewise to the west,
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will make your mornings cold and the dews plentiful, if they are near you; but both, if at some tolerable distance,
are wonderfully pleasant. So too, rivers and lakes are inconvenient if too near, and afford no delight, if too far
off. Whereas, on the contrary, the sea, if it is at a large distance, makes both your air and sun unhealthy; but
when it is close to you, it does you less harm, because then you have always an equality in your air. Indeed there
is this to be said, that when it is at a great distance, it increases the desire we have to see it. There is a good deal
too in the point to which we lie open to it: for if you are exposed to the sea towards the south, it scorches you; if
towards the east, it infects you with damps; if to the west, it makes your air cloudy and full of vapours; and if to
the north, it chills you with excessive cold.

Seasonal parlours

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From the court-yard we proceed to the parlours, which must be contrived for different seasons, some to be used
in summer, others in winter; and others as we may lay in the middle seasons. Parlours for summer require water
and the verdure of gardens; those for winter, must be warm and have good fire-places. Both should be large,
pleasant and delicate.

Chimneys and fires

Top

There are many arguments to convince us that chimneys were in use among the ancients; but not such as ours are
now. One of the ancients says, the tops of the houses smoke, Et fumant culmina tecti: And we find it continues
the same all over Italy to this day, except in Lombardy and Tuscany, and that the mouths of none of the
chimneys rise higher than the tops of the houses. Vitruvius says, that in winter parlours it is ridiculous to adorn
the ceiling with handsome painting, because it will be presently spoilt by the constant smoke and continual fires;
for which reason the ancients used to paint those ceilings with black, that it might seem to be done by the smoke
itself. I find too, that they made use of a purified sort of wood, that was quite clear of smoke, like our charcoal,
upon which account it was a dispute among the lawyers, whether or no coal was to come under the
denomination of wood; and therefore it is probable they generally used moveable hearths or chasing-pans either
of brass or iron, which they carried from place to place wherever they had occasion to make a fire. And perhaps
that warlike race of men, hardened by continual encampments, did not make so much use of fire as we do now;
and physicians will not allow it wholesome, to be too much by the fire-side. Aristotle says, that the flesh of
animals gains its firmness and solidity from cold; and those whose business it is to take notice of things of this
nature have observed, that those working men who are continually employed about the furnace have generally
dry wrinkled skins; the reason of which they say is, because the juices, of which the flesh is formed, are
exhausted by the fire, and evaporate in steam. In Germany, Colchos, and other places, where fire is absolutely
necessary against the extreme cold, they make use of stoves; of which we shall speak elsewhere. Let us return to
the chimney, which may be best made serviceable in the following manner. It must be as direct as possible,
capacious, not too far from the light, it must not draw the wind too much, but enough however to carry up the
smoke, which else would not go up the tunnel. For these reasons do not make it just in a corner, nor too far
within the wall, nor let it take up the best part of the room where your chief guests ought to sit. Do not let it be
incommoded by the air either of doors or windows, nor should it project too far out into the room. Let its tunnel
be very wide and carried up perpendicular, and let the top of it rise above the highest part of the whole building;
and this not only upon account of the danger of fire, but also to prevent the smoke from being driven down the
chimney again by any eddy of wind on the top of the house. Smoke being hot naturally mounts, and the heat of
the flame quickens its ascent: when it comes therefore into the tunnel of the chimney, it is compressed and
straitened as in a channel, and being pushed on by the heat of the fire, is thrust out in the same manner as the
sound is out of a trumpet. and as a trumpet, if it is too big, does not give a clear sound, because the air has room
to row! about in it; the same will hold good with relation to the smoke in a chimney. let the top of the chimney
be covered to keep out rain, and all round the sides let there be wide holes for the passage of the smoke, with
breaks projecting out between each hole to keep off the violence of the wind. Where this is not so convenient,
erect an upright pin, and on it hang a brass cover broad enough to take in the whole mouth of the chimney, and
let this cover have a vane at the top like a sort of crept, which like a helm may turn it round according to the
wind. Another very good method also is to let on the chimney top some spire like a hunter's horn, either of brass
or baked earth, broader at one end than the other, with the broad end turned downwards to the mouth of the
chimney; by which means the smoke being received in at the broad end, will force its way out at the narrow, in
spite of the wind.

Service rooms

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To the parlours we must accommodate the kitchen, and the pantry for setting by what is left after meals, together
with all manner of vessels and linen. The kitchen ought to be neither just under the noses of the guests, nor at too
great a distance; but so that the victuals may be brought in neither too hot nor too cold, and that the noise of the
scullions, with the clatter of their pans, dishes and other utensils, may not be troublesome. The passage through
which the victuals are to be carried, should be handsome and convenient, not open to the weather, nor
dishonoured by any filth that may offend the stomachs of the guests.

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Adult bedrooms

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From the parlour the next step is to the bed-chamber; and for a man of figure and elegance, there should be
different ones of these latter, as well as of the former, for summer and for winter. This puts me in mind of
Lucullus's saying, that it is not fit a great man should be worse lodged than a swallow or a crane. However I
shall only set down such rules, with relation to these apartments, as are compatible with the greatest modesty
and moderation. I remember to have read in Aemilius Probus the historian, that among the Greeks it was never
usual for the wife to appear at table, if any body was there besides relations; and that the apartments for the
women, were parts of the house where no men ever set his foot except the nearest kindred.

Virgins and young ladies Top

And indeed I must own I think the apartments for the ladies, ought to be sacred like places dedicated to religion
and chastity. I am besides for having the rooms particularly designed for virgins and young ladies, fitted up in
the neatest and most delicate manner, that their tender minds may pass their time in them with less regret and be
as little weary of themselves as possible. The mistress of the family should have an apartment, in which the may
easily hear every thing that is done in the house. However, in these particulars, the customs of every country are
always to be principally observed.

Husbands and wives Top

The husband and the wife should each have a separate chamber, not only that the wife, either when she lies in, or
in case of any other indisposition, may not be troublesome to her husband; but also that in summer time, either
of them may lie alone whenever they think fit. Each of these chambers should have its separate door, besides
which there should be a common Passage between them both, that one may go to the other without being
observed by any body. The wife's chamber should go into the wardrobe; the husband's into the library. Their
ancient mother, who requires tranquility and repose, should have a warm chamber, well secured against the cold,
and out of the way of all noises either from within or without. Be sure particularly to let it have a good fireplace,
and all other conveniences necessary for an infirm person, to comfort and cheer both the body and mind. Out of
this chamber let there be a passage to the place where you keep your treasure. Here place the boys; and by the
wardrobe girls, and near them the lodgings for the nurses. Strangers and guests should be lodged in chambers
near the vestibule or foregate; that they may have full freedom both in their own actions, and in receiving visits
from their friends, without disturbing the rest of the family.

Sons and servants rooms

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The sons of sixteen or seventeen years old, should have apartments opposite to the guests, or at least not far from
them, that they may have an opportunity to converse and grow familiar with them. The strangers too should have
some place to themselves, where they may lock up any thing private or valuable, and take it out again whenever
they think fit. Next to the lodgings of the young gentlemen, should be the place where the arms are kept.

Stewards, officers and servants should be so lodged asunder from the gentlemen, that each may have a
convenient place, suitable to his respective business. The maid-servants and valets should always be within easy
call, to be ready upon any occasion that they are wanted for. The butler's lodging should be near both to the vault
and pantry. The grooms should lie near the stable. The saddle-horses ought not to be kept in the same place with
those of draught or burden; and they should be placed where they cannot offend the house with any smells, nor
prejudice it by their kicking, and out of all danger of fire.

Storage rooms

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Corn and all manner of grain is spoilt by moisture, tarnished and turned pale by heat, shrunk by wind, and rotted
by the touch of lime. Wherever therefore you intend to lay it, whether in a cave, pit, vault, or on an open area, be
sure that the place he thoroughly dry and perfectly clean and new made. Josephus affirms, that there was corn
dug up near Siboli perfectly good and sound, though it had lain hid above an hundred years. some lay, that
barley laid in a warm place, will not spoil; but it will keep very little above a year. The philosophers tell us, that
bodies are prepared for corruption by moisture, but are afterwards actually corrupted by heat. If you make a
floor in your granary of lees of oil mixed with potter's clay and spart or straw chopped small, and beat well
together, your grain will keep found upon it a great while, and be neither spoilt by weevil nor stolen by the ant.
Granaries designed only for seeds are best built of unbaked bricks. The north wind is less prejudicial than the
south to all stores of seeds and fruits; but any wind whatsoever blowing from damp places will fill them with
maggots and worms; and any constant impetuous wind will make them shriveled and withered. For pulses and
especially beans make a floor of ashes mixed with lees and oil. Keep apples in some very close, but cool
boarded room. Aristotle is of opinion, that they will keep the whole year round in bladders blown up and tied
close. The inconstancy of the air is what spoils everything; and therefore keep every breath of it from your
apples, if possible; and particularly the north-wind, which is thought to shrivel them up. We are told that vaults

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for wine should lie deep under ground, and be very close stopped up; and yet there are some wines which decay
in the shade. Wine is spoilt by the eastern, southern and western winds, and especially in the winter or the
spring. If it is touched even by the north-wind in the dog-days, it will receive injury. The rays of the sun make it
heady; those of the moon, thick, if it is in the least stirred, it loses its spirit and grows weak. Wine will take any
smell that is near it, and will grow dead near a stink. When it is kept in a dry cool place, always equally
tempered, it will remain good for many years. Wine, says Columella, so long as it is kept cool, so long it will
keep good. Make your vault for wine therefore in a steady place, never shaken by any sort of carriages; and its
sides and lights should be towards the north. All manner of filth and ill smells, damps, vapours, smoke, the
stinks of all sorts of rotten garden-stuff, onions, cabbage, wild or domestic figs, should by all means be quite
shut out. Let the floor of your vault be pargetted, and in the middle make a little trench, to save any wine that
may be spilt by thee fault of the vessels. Some make their vessels themselves of stuc or stone. The bigger the
vessel is, the more spirit and strength will be in the wine. Oil delights in a warm shade, and cannot endure any
cold wind; and is spoilt by smoke or any other steam.

Dung and toilets

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We shall not dwell upon coarser matters; namely how there ought to be two places for keeping dung in, one for
the old, and another for the new; that it loves the sun and moisture, and is dried up and exhausted by the wind;
but I shall only give this general rule, that those places which are most liable to danger by fire as hay-lofts and
the like, and those which are unpleasant either to the sight or smell, ought to be set out of the way and separated
by themselves. It may not be amiss just to mention here, that the dung of oxen will not breed serpents. But there
is one filthy practice which I cannot help taking notice, of. We take care in the country to set the dunghill out of
the way in some remote corner, that the smell may not offend our ploughmen; and yet in our own houses, in our
best chambers (where we ourselves are to rest) and as it were at our very bolsters, we are so impolite as to make
secret privies, or rather store-rooms of stink. If a man is sick, let him make use of a close-stool; but when he is in
health, surely such nastiness cannot be too far off. It is worth observing how careful birds are, and particularly
swallows, to keep their nests clean and neat for their young ones. The example nature herein sets us is
wonderful. Even the young swallows, as soon as ever time has strengthened their limbs will never mute, but out
of the nest; and the old ones, to keep the filth at a still greater distance, will catch it in their bills as it is falling, to
carry it further off from their own nest. Since nature has given us this excellent instruction, I think we ought by
no means to neglect it.

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