The early Renaissance began in the 15th century in Florence, marked by the contributions of Leon Battista Alberti, a pivotal figure who defined the role of the architect and revived Roman styles in architecture. Alberti's prominent works include 'Della Pittura' and 'De Re Aedificatoria', through which he influenced architectural theory and aesthetic standards. Key architectural elements of this period included the use of classical orders, balanced proportions, and innovative facade designs exemplified by structures like the Palazzo Ruccellai.

2. EARLY RENAISSANCE
 The Renaissance really gets going in the early
years of 15th century in Florence. In this period,
which we call the Early Renaissance,

3. LEON BATTISTA ALBERTI

4. LEON BATTISTA ALBERTI
 WAS AN AUTHOR, ARCHITECT, POET, PRIEST AND PHILOSOPHER.
 HIS WORKS EXHIBIT DECORATIVE TREATMENTS .
 IN HIS BOOK DE RE AEDIFICATORIA, HIS EXPRESSIONS INFLUENCES MEN`S MIND IN
FAVOUR OF THE REVIVED ROMAN STYLE.
 HE DEVELOPED A CLEVER SYSTEM OF CLASSICAL PILASTERS AND ARCHITRAVES
WHICH COULD BE SUPERIMPOSED ON ANY EARLIER SMOOTH SURFACE, CALLED
“ORNAMENTUM”.
 WAS A CLASSICAL THEORIST WHO SAW ARCHITECTURE AS A WAY TO ADDRESS
SOCIETAL ORDER.
 ALBERTI DEFINED THE RENAISSANCE ARCHITECT AS A UNIVERSALIST, AN
INTELLECTUAL, A MAN OF GENIUS AND A CONSORT TO THOSE IN POSITIONS OF
POWER AND AUTHORITY. HE HIMSELF WAS A RENAISSANCE MAN.
 HE WORKED IN ROME AFTER HIS STUDIES IN FLORENCE WHERE HE HAD MANY
OPPORTUNITIES TO SEE THE MONUMENTS OF ANTIQUITIES AS WELL AS MEET THE
ARTISTS WHO WERE VISITING THEM.
 ALBERTI STUDIED THE WRITINGS OF THE CLASSICAL WORLD LIKE PLATO, ARISTOTLE,
PLUTARCH AND PLINY THE ELDER.
 HE WROTE DELLA PITTURA (ON PAINTING) WHERE IT INCLUDED BRUNELLESCHI’S
THEORIES OF PERSPECTIVE AND DE RE AEDIFICATORIA (ON BUILDING), THE FIRST
ARCHITECTURAL TREATISE OF THE RENAISSANCE.

6. TUSCAN ORDER

7. TUSCAN ORDER
 "The Tuscan, being rough, is rarely used above
ground except in one-storey buildings like villa
barns or in huge structures like Amphitheatres and
the like which, having many orders, can take this
one in place of the Doric, under the Ionic."

8. COMPOSITE ORDER

9. COMPOSITE ORDER
 The composite order is a mixed order, combining
the volutes of the Ionic order capital with
the acanthus leaves of the Corinthian order. The
composite order volutes are larger, however, and the
composite order also has echinus molding with egg-and-
dart ornamentation between the volutes. The column of
the composite order is ten diameters high.

10. WORKS OF ALBERTI

11. PALAZZO RUCCELLAI
(RUCCELLAI PALACE) -
FLORENCE

12. PALAZZO RUCCELLAI (RUCCELLAI PALACE)
FLORENCE
 PALAZZO RUCCELLAI IS A PALATIAL 1ST CENTURY TOWNHOUSE ON
THE VIADALLA VIGNA NUOVA IN FLORENCE ITALY.
 IT WAS THE FIRST BUILDINGS OF RENAISSANCE THAT USED SUPER
IMPOSED PILASTERS
 THE GRID-LIKE FACADE IS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE APPLICATATION
OF A SCHEME OF THE BEATED ARTICULATION
 THE STONE VENEER OF THIS FACADE IS GIVEN A CHANNELED
RUSTICATION AND SERVES AS THE BACKGROUND FOR THE SMOOTH-
FACED PILASTERS AND ENTABLATURES WHICH DIVIDE THE FACADE
INTO A SERIES OF THREE=STORY BAYS.

22. S.ANDREA-MANTUA

23. ELEMENTS OF RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE
ELEMENTS:
 Plans - square, symmetrical appearance in which proportions are usually
based on a module
 Facades - symmetrical around their vertical axis, domestic buildings are
often surmounted by a cornice
 Columns and pilasters - the Roman orders of columns are used: Tuscan,
Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite
 Arches – semi circular
 Vaults – do not have ribs
 Domes - the dome is used frequently, both as a very large structural
feature that is visible from the exterior

24.  Arches – semi circular
 Vaults – do not have ribs
Domes - the dome is used
frequently, both as a very large
structural feature that is visible
from the exterior