Sebastiano Serlio

1475 - 1554

Quick Facts

  • Lifespan: 79 years
  • Died: 1554
  • Copyright status: Public domain
  • Nationality: Italy
  • Top 3 works:
    • Virgin and Child
    • Façade of a Venetian palazzo
    • Plan of a Venetian palazzo
  • Also known as:
    • Sebastiano Serlio de Bologne
    • Sebastian Serly
    • Sebastien Serlio
    • Sebastián Serlio
    • Sebastian Serli Bolognese

The Architect and Theorist

Sebastiano Serlio was an Italian Mannerist architect, painter, writer, designer, and civil engineer. Born in Bologna, he worked in the atelier of Baldassare Peruzzi in Rome and later lived in Venice. His career was significantly shaped by an invitation from François I to France, where he advised on the construction and decoration of the Château of Fontainebleau. While he took several private commissions, the Château d'Ancy-le-Franc is the only one of his works that has survived in a recognizable way. He also designed fortifications as a civil engineer.

Architectural Treatises and Publications

Serlio is known for his practical treatise, Tutte l'opere d'architettura et prospetiva, also referred to as I sette libri dell'architettura. This work is composed of eight books, though only the first five were published during his lifetime. His publications include:

Questions & Answers

What other names is Sebastiano Serlio known by?

Sebastiano Serlio is also known as Sebastiano Serlio de Bologne, Sebastian Serly, Sebastien Serlio, Sebastián Serlio, Sebastian Serli Bolognese.

Is there a timeline of Sebastiano Serlio's works?

A timeline of Sebastiano Serlio's works exists: the artist's Artwork Timeline page orders the artworks by creation date.

Where can I find statistics about Sebastiano Serlio's works?

Statistics about Sebastiano Serlio's works are available on the artist's Stats page.

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
In which city was Sebastiano Serlio born?
Question 2:
Who was Serlio's mentor, under whom he studied architecture and painting?
Question 3:
Which of these is a surviving work of Serlio's architecture?
Question 4:
What was the primary reason Serlio's career took off in France?
Question 5:
Serlio's treatise 'Tutte l'opere d'architettura et prospetiva' was notable for what innovation?