Comparison Between Jefferson And Monticello

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Once inhabited by Thomas Jefferson, Monticello served as both a home for the late president as well as one of his many architectural designs. According to Wikipedia, Jefferson acquired the land from his father when he was twenty-six years old. This was the same age that he began to design and construct Monticello (Wikipedia). The building is approximately 110 feet long by 87 feet and 9 inches wide; from the floor to the top of the dome is 44 feet and 7 inches high (Monticello Website). Construction of Monticello began in 1769 and was finished in 1784; the building was rebuilt and enlarged from 1796 to 1809. Monticello was Jefferson’s main plantation where he mostly harvested tobacco and then later switched to wheat. Monticello does not only …show more content…

Monticello follows the neoclassical design, which was typical of Jefferson who became fond of the style after seeing artists such as Andrea Palladio (Wikipedia). When comparing the two artists we are able to notice the strong comparison between the two types of work.
In order to better understand this style of architecture we first need to understand the period it is from and where similar works are found. Neoclassical architecture began in the mid 18th century and was heavily influenced by the works of Andrea Palladio (Wikipedia). This timing is why Jefferson became so intrigued with the style. The style of neoclassical thrived in both Europe and the United States and used key features such as columns, blank walls, and simple geometric forms (Encyclopedia Britannica). All three of these features are seen in Jefferson’s Monticello. On the west-facing side of the house, we are able to see …show more content…

First of Palladio had a very strong influence on the style of neoclassical (Wikipedia). One work of Palladio’s has an extreme resemblance to Monticello and that is his Villa Rotunda. When looking at both of the works side by side the is no doubt that one had an influence on the other, especially since we know the one is a piece of art from Palladio who Jefferson was influenced by. Doing a direct comparison between the two works of art we can point out many direct similarities and many other influences. In Palladio’s Villa Rotunda we see in the front the use of columns, which hold up an entablature and a pediment. In the Villa Rotunda, the columns are Ionic, while in Monticello the columns seen are Doric. We also see that behind those columns there is a portico, which is also seen in Monticello. The front of the Villa Rotunda reminds us very strongly of the west facing side of Monticello. Another similarity, which is found directly in both of the pieces of art, is the dome in the center of the building. We notice in a lot of Jefferson’s buildings that he is fond of the dome and this can be thanks to Palladio (Monticello Website). Sticking to the neoclassical design of the structure we again see the very flat walls that do not evoke a sense of light to dark contrast. In Palladio’s work, we see two very large walls both to the right and to the left of the portico.

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