Venetian window

Although Sebastiano Serlio (1475–1554) did not invent it, the window features largely in the work of the Italian architect Andrea Palladio (1508–1580) and is almost a trademark of his early career.

To describe its origin as being either Palladian or Venetian is not accurate; the motif was first used by Donato Bramante[2] and later mentioned by Serlio in his seven-volume architectural book Tutte l'opere d'architettura et prospetiva expounding the ideals of Vitruvius and Roman architecture, this arched window is flanked by two lower rectangular openings, a motif that first appeared in the triumphal arches of ancient Rome.

[3] According to James Lees-Milne, its first appearance in Britain was in the remodeled wings of Burlington House, London, where the immediate source was actually in Inigo Jones's designs for Whitehall Palace rather than drawn from Palladio himself.

Sir John Summerson suggests that the omission of the doubled columns may be allowed, but "the term "Palladian motif" should be confined" to cases where the larger order is present.

[8] The Venetian window design originates from the Renaissance period and is strongly associated with the Italian architect Andrea Palladio (1508–1580), who used it extensively in his works.

However, its conceptual origins can be traced back to the earlier architect Sebastiano Serlio (1475–1554), who described a similar window form in his treatise Tutte l'opere d'architettura et prospettiva (1537).

Notable examples include: The motif was widely used in American Colonial and Federal architecture, often appearing in grand homes and public buildings.