Page - 378 - in Jacopo Strada and Cultural Patronage at the Imperial Court - The Antique as Innovation, Volume 1

Chapter 7378 of the first half of the sixteenth century warrant the conclusion that the facade in Kleiner’s 1725 print is basically that designed and built by Jacopo Strada. The facade shown in Kleiner’s drawing is the side facade, as can be deduced not only from the lack of an entrance—which might have been moved at a later date—but also from the even number of bays. This means that the prin- cipal façade including the entrance looked toward the later Löwelstrasse, and immediately faced the huge Löwelbastei. This choice can be explained by the fact that the quickest way from the Hofburg was along the inside of the fortifications: on arrival this was the facade which was first seen and could be best observed. From the description of Duke Alfonso’s visit to the house, moreover, we know that it could be reached from the Hofburg along a covered passage on top of the fortifications, the exit of which must have been inside Figure 7.10 Mario Carpo, reconstruction of the house of Jacopo Strada in Vienna, detail of fig 7.13. Figures 7.11–7.12 The house of Jacopo Strada in Vienna, details of Salomon Kleiner’s views of the Stadtpalais Liechtenstein (centre; detail of Fig. 7.9) and of the Palais Althan-Pignatelli (the strip on the left margin of the print).