I Quattro Libri dell'Architettura Di Andrea Palladio. Ne' quali, dopo un breue trattato de' cinque ordini, & di quelli auertimenti, che sono piu necessarij nel fabricare; Si Tratta Delle Case Private, delle Vie, de i Ponti, delle Piazze, de i Xisti, et de'Tempij.

Andrea Palladio (author)

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of an architectural book cover. The title page is filled with classical architectural elements and allegorical figures. The top of the page has an inscription "REGINA VIRTUS" beneath a sitting figure holding a scepter and a sheaf of leaves. Below are four columns with elaborate capitals, and seated figures on each side. In the center is an oval medallion containing a pastoral scene of a boat in the sea and a bovine head at the base. The design is consistent with the aesthetics of the Renaissance period.