The House of Andrea Mantegna is a 15th century building in the city of Mantua that is a vibrant art centre where temporary exhibitions and cultural events take place.
It is also a museum that collects, documents and researches the evolution of its namesake's art: Andrea Mantegna.
Mantegna was an Italian painter who went on to have one of the most important print workshops in Italy. The House of Andrea Mantua was built by the artist as his home and is the ultimate expression of his ambitions and how he wanted to be seen as a person and artist.
Built on a piece of land donated by Ludovico II Gonzaga, one of the most influential patrons in Italy at the time and part of the ruling Gonzaga family of Mantua, the house is expressed across two floors on a square plan with a central circular courtyard around which all of the rooms are arranged.
It is also a museum that collects, documents and researches the evolution of its namesake's art: Andrea Mantegna.
Mantegna was an Italian painter who went on to have one of the most important print workshops in Italy. The House of Andrea Mantua was built by the artist as his home and is the ultimate expression of his ambitions and how he wanted to be seen as a person and artist.
Built on a piece of land donated by Ludovico II Gonzaga, one of the most influential patrons in Italy at the time and part of the ruling Gonzaga family of Mantua, the house is expressed across two floors on a square plan with a central circular courtyard around which all of the rooms are arranged.
A masterpiece of harmonious design with proportions expressed according to perfect geometrical ratios, it is an ideal Renaissance gem of a building and one of the must-see architectural highlights of the city.
Mantua itself is a collection of wonderful Renaissance buildings and the House of Andrea Mantegna standing out among them all speaks to its merits.
A rather unique and special building that was clearly the artist's pride and joy, it is unfortunate, then, that he was forced to sell it to Francesco Gonzaga as part of a business exchange in 1502 when he encountered financial difficulties.
Over the centuries, it fell into disrepair but was salvaged in the 20th century and was then opened to the general public as a museum.
Today, it regularly hosts some excellent exhibitions so be sure to check out their website and see what is currently going on if you have found a vacation rental in Lombardy and are planning on exploring Mantua.
Mantua itself is a collection of wonderful Renaissance buildings and the House of Andrea Mantegna standing out among them all speaks to its merits.
A rather unique and special building that was clearly the artist's pride and joy, it is unfortunate, then, that he was forced to sell it to Francesco Gonzaga as part of a business exchange in 1502 when he encountered financial difficulties.
Over the centuries, it fell into disrepair but was salvaged in the 20th century and was then opened to the general public as a museum.
Today, it regularly hosts some excellent exhibitions so be sure to check out their website and see what is currently going on if you have found a vacation rental in Lombardy and are planning on exploring Mantua.
Even if there isn't anything particularly interesting to you being exhibited, this special building will certainly be of interest in its own right to architecture aficionados.
Photo credits
picture 1: Michele M. F. / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 2: Franzk / GFDL