Vitruvius (80BC – 15BC)

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, is an engineer and architect, who was the first Ancient Roman to write records of his studies and works, which survived.

Marcus Vitruvius Roman: Pencil drawing portrait. He is placed in a circle and depicted with a beard and wavy hair.
Portrait of Vitriuvius, pencil drawing

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/a9238e3f-2337-4610-bcb9-957d5c8befe4 by ubleipzig

About His Life

All we know about Vitruvius’s life is from his autobiographical notes in his writings, which are mostly obscure. Of Roman origins, he had a prominent family and, as a military engineer, he served the Roman army in Gaul, Spain and North Africa. Also, he lived during the time of Julius Caesar and received a generous pension in his last year by Augustus. However, the date of his death is unknown.

Vitruvius, Loggia del Consiglio, Piazza dei Signori, Verona: Statue of Vitruvius.
Vitruvius, Verona

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/0d3f68ed-b903-42b5-b517-11fe59b8a616 by Dimitris Graffin

De Architecture book cover, simple and ancient.
Vitruvius (De Architectura)-1557

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/a79003e4-f71d-46bf-bbce-6dc5fd51c651 by Creator:Fra Giovanni Giocondo da VeronaCreator:Fra Giovanni Giocondo da VeronaCreator:Giovanni TaccuinoCreator:Marcus Pollio Vitruvius

What are his major works?

His Major Works

Vitruvius wrote De Architectura, around 15 BC and dedicated it to the emperor Augustus. The work, composed of 10 books, explains the concept of what ‘architecture’ is and describes topics such as mathematics, geometry, science, astrology, astronomy, medicine, meteorology and philosophy. The treatise combines the knowledge of Greek and Roman writers, but there are some shortcomings in regard to some great Roman buildings, which are discussed briefly.

A drawing of a Roman architectural structure on the right side of the page.
Recto- Temple Types- Amphiprostyle (Vitruvius, Book 3, Chapter 2)

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/e3edb3a9-2188-4599-8e09-77ee61821e05 by Creator:Sangallo familyCreator:Marcus Pollio

The only building that we know Vitruvius worked on is a basilica built in 19 BC in Fanum Fortune (Fano), which he talks about in his work. However, there is nothing left of the structure today.

Vitruvius 'De Architectura': perspective diagram: A drawing of a perspective diagram, which displays the technique behind his works.
‘De architectura’ Perspective Diagram

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/fc7153d2-9f03-431d-ba32-1f893926dc63

What was His Vision?

The Vitruvian picture of architecture is rooted in an empirical knowledge of creation, manufacture and craft. Vitruvius’ main concern was to write a useful manual. In his view of architecture, nature is an ideal model, and he makes it an object of philosophical research. Additionally, he wanted to present architecture as a worthy part of an encyclopedic program.

A drawing of Vitruvius' Roman house, a model of a house plan.
Roman house plan by Vitruvius

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vit#/media/File:Greekhse1.jpg

Who did Vitruvius Influence?

From the Renaissance period onwards, the work of Vitruvius had an extraordinary impact on many creators, including Niccoli, Brunelleschi and Leon Battista Alberti. Leonardo da Vinci‘s most famous drawing, The Vitruvian Man, is based on the concept of proportions developed by Vitruvius. 16th century architect Palladio considered him to be his master and guide.

The "Vitruvian Man", an illustration in the 1521 edition of De Architectura.
“Vitruvian Man”, illustration in the edition of De Architectura (1521)

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/54e83f81-c66b-4cc1-b4ba-f116a41eb2f2 by Ralph Buckley


Info source:

http://www-groups.dcs.st-andrews.ac.uk https://www.britannica.com http://www.visual-arts-cork.com http://penelope.uchicago.edu http://www.-pollio.com/ https://plato.stanford.edu http://www.ancient.eu https://www.researchgate.net https://en.wikipedia.org

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