Barbaro, Daniele (1513–1570)

Italian diplomat, polymath, and art patron. He took a keen interest in all aspects of the culture of his day, and is best remembered for publishing the standard edition of De architectura by the Roman architect Vitruvius in 1556, and for commissioning the architect Palladio to design the Villa Barbaro at Maser (built 1560–68), the interior being decorated by Veronese. He was ambassador to England 1548–50.

Barbaro belonged to a landed Venetian family and studied science, philosophy, mathematics, and literature in Padua. In 1545 he founded the botanical garden there and worked as its curator. On his return from England in 1550 he was appointed patriarch of Aquileia, and it was in this role that he attended the Council of Trent.

In 1569 he published La pratica della perspettiva/On Perspective, which contains an early account of the camera obscura. Palladio provided the illustrations to Barbaro's edition of Vitruvius.