Leon Battista Alberti's Letter

This is the famous letter that Alberti sent to Ludovico Gonzaga to discuss the project of the Basilica of Sant'Andrea. Here is the full text: "Most illustrious master, After it was recommended to me, Luca tagiapi has shown me a letter from Your Lordship concerning the title the tower, etc.; for now I am minded to act upon these letters, we shall reflect on it again. Moreover, today I have been led to understood that Your Lordship and Your Lordship's citizens have discussed building here at Sant'Andrea, and that the main intention was to construct a large space where many people might be so congregated as to see the Blood of Christ. I have seen Manetti's model and it pleased me, but it seems ill-suited to your intention; I have pondered it and devised the following plan, which I hereby send to you. This will be more capacious, more enduring, more worthy and more joyous; and will cost less. This form of church is named after the old Etruscan Temple. If it should please your Lordship, I will find a way of displaying it in proportion. I entrust myself to Your Lordship".In addition to the courteous competition with another Florentine architect, the letter contains the famous phrase: "This will be more capacious, more enduring, more worthy and more joyous; and will cost much less" What is more, Alberti relates how he has completed and sent a sketch which, should it please the Marquis, will be built in the right proportion.