Andrea Palladio (1508-1580), Italian architect. Palladio, who trained as a stonemason, developed a new and influential style of architecture, that he used for churches, villas, and palaces in Venice and the surrounding area. This would result in the style of architecture that is called Palladian. He was nominated 'Illustrious citizen of Venice' in 1570, the same year that he published his masterwork 'The Four Books of Architecture'. Illustration published in 1835.