Daniele Barbaro

Who was Daniele Barbaro?

Daniele Matteo Alvise Barbaro was an Italian translator of, and commentator on, Vitruvius. He also had a significant ecclesiastical career, reaching the rank of Cardinal.

He was born in Venice, the son of Francesco di Daniele Barbaro and Elena Pisani, daughter of the banker Alvise Pisani and Cecilia Giustinian. Barbaro studied philosophy, mathematics, and optics at the University of Padua. He has been credited with the design of the university's botanical garden.

Barbaro served the Republic of Venice as ambassador to the court of Edward VI in London and as representative at the Council of Trent. His appointment as Cardinal may have been secret to avoid causing diplomatic complications. In 1550 he was elected Patriarch of Aquileia, an ecclesiastical appointment that required the approval of the Venetian Senate.

On the death of his father, he inherited a country estate with his brother Marcantonio Barbaro. They commissioned Palladio to design their shared country home Villa Barbaro, which is now part of a World Heritage Site.

Palladio and Daniele Barbaro visited Rome together and the architecture of the villa reflects their interest in the ancient buildings they saw there.