Leon Battista Alberti, (born Feb. 14, 1404, Genoa—died April 25, 1472, Rome), is the principal initiator of Renaissance architecture theory. In his personality, works, and breadth of learning, he is considered the prototype of the Renaissance "universal man". Alberti's De Re Aedificatoria (On the Art of Building in Ten Books - 1404-1472), was the first modern treatise on the theory and practice of architecture. Its importance for the subsequent history of architecture is incalculable.

We are proud to present a selection of passages from On the Art of Building in Ten Books by Leon Battista Alberti, translated by Joseph Rykwert, Neil Leach, and Robert Tavernor and published by The MIT Press in 1988.

Our deepest gratitude goes to Joseph Rykwert, Robert Tavernor and Thomas Weaver for their generous help in publishing this book.