20[Figure 20]THE
ARCHITECTURE
OF
Leone Batiſta Alberti.
ARCHITECTURE
OF
Leone Batiſta Alberti.
BOOK IV. CHAP. I.
Of Works of a publick Nature. That all Buildings, whether contrived for
Neceſſity, Conveniency or Pleaſure, were intended for the Service of Man
kind. Of the ſeveral Diviſions of humane Conditions, whence ariſes the
Diverſity of Buildings.
Neceſſity, Conveniency or Pleaſure, were intended for the Service of Man
kind. Of the ſeveral Diviſions of humane Conditions, whence ariſes the
Diverſity of Buildings.
It is plain that Building was in
vented for the Service of Man
kind; for if we conſider the
Matter ever ſo little, it is natural
to ſuppoſe that their firſt Deſign
was only to raiſe a Structure that might de
fend them and theirs from the ill Qualities of
the Weather; afterwards they proceeded to
make not only every Thing that was ne
ceſſary to their Safety, but alſo every Thing
that might be convenient or uſeful to them.
At laſt, inſtructed and allured by the Oppor
tunities that naturally offer'd themſelves, they
began to contrive how to make their Build
ings ſubſervient to their Pleaſures and Recre
adons, and proceeded every Day further and
further in ſo doing: So that if upon conſider
ing the various Sorts of Buildings, we
ſhould ſay, that ſome were contrived by Ne
ceſſity, ſome by Convenience, and ſome by
Pleaſure, it might, perhaps, be no ill Defini
tion of the Matter. Yet when we take a View
of the great Plenty and Variety of Buildings
all about us, we eaſily perceive that all were
not erected merely upon thoſe Accounts, or
for one Occaſion more than another, but that
this great Variety and Difference among them,
are owing principally to the Variety there is
among Mankind. So that, if according to
our Method we would make a careful Enquiry
into their Sorts and Parts, it is here that we
muſt begin our Diſquiſition, namely, from the
Nature of Mankind, and wherein they differ
from one another; ſince upon their Account
it is that Buildings are erected, and for their
Uſes varied: So that having thoroughly con
ſidered theſe Things, we may treat of them
more clearly. For this Purpoſe, it will not
be amiſs to recollect the Opinions of the wiſe
Founders of ancient Republicks and Laws con
vented for the Service of Man
kind; for if we conſider the
Matter ever ſo little, it is natural
to ſuppoſe that their firſt Deſign
was only to raiſe a Structure that might de
fend them and theirs from the ill Qualities of
the Weather; afterwards they proceeded to
make not only every Thing that was ne
ceſſary to their Safety, but alſo every Thing
that might be convenient or uſeful to them.
At laſt, inſtructed and allured by the Oppor
tunities that naturally offer'd themſelves, they
began to contrive how to make their Build
ings ſubſervient to their Pleaſures and Recre
adons, and proceeded every Day further and
further in ſo doing: So that if upon conſider
ing the various Sorts of Buildings, we
ſhould ſay, that ſome were contrived by Ne
ceſſity, ſome by Convenience, and ſome by
Pleaſure, it might, perhaps, be no ill Defini
tion of the Matter. Yet when we take a View
of the great Plenty and Variety of Buildings
all about us, we eaſily perceive that all were
not erected merely upon thoſe Accounts, or
for one Occaſion more than another, but that
this great Variety and Difference among them,
are owing principally to the Variety there is
among Mankind. So that, if according to
our Method we would make a careful Enquiry
into their Sorts and Parts, it is here that we
muſt begin our Diſquiſition, namely, from the
Nature of Mankind, and wherein they differ
from one another; ſince upon their Account
it is that Buildings are erected, and for their
Uſes varied: So that having thoroughly con
ſidered theſe Things, we may treat of them
more clearly. For this Purpoſe, it will not
be amiſs to recollect the Opinions of the wiſe
Founders of ancient Republicks and Laws con
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