Palladio’s ‘La Rotonda’ revisited by Ronald Keller and the Red Angel Press
(Red Angel Press) Excerpts from The Four Books on Architecture: Andrea Palladio. Translated by Robert Tavernor & Richard Schofield. [Bremen, Maine & New York City.] 2008. n.p. 17.25” x 10.25”. Various size pages. Concept and artwork, as well as typesetting and printing done by Ronald Keller. Set by hand, the type is Bembo for text and sub-titles, with Caslon for the title. Printed on dampened Italian made Fabriano Artistico paper. Illustrations are depictions of La Rotonda, located near Vicenza, Italy. It is shown in line renderings in plan view and elevation, with a main image of cast paper. Cream cloth boards with the title in brown letters on front board. The front cover is split in the center of the book and the pages open both to left and right. As they are turned, the leaves are trimmed narrower, gradually revealing the cast paper bas-relief image of the facade of La Rotonda on the inside back cover. One in an edition of 50 copies, signed by Ronald Keller. An elegant production. New.
“The four chapters deal with the construction basics of classic architecture- sand, stone, timber, metals, etc. – and give concise analysis of them.
“Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) was the designer of villas, churches and civic buildings, mostly in the Veneto region of Italy. Fortunately, many of his creations still exist and can be visited today, including La Rotonda, featured in this edition . His influence has been great and many buildings since his time exhibit this (e.g. Jefferson’s Montecello.) … The building features identical facades on all four sides and the rooms within, arranged in symmetrical form, are proportioned to classical ideals. This elegant building is considered by many to be Palladio’s masterwork.” – Prospectus.
Related items: Catalogue 36 - Summer 2008, Fine Printing & Private Press, Andrea Palladio, Red Angel Press, Ronald Keller

