Filippo Brunelleschi
THE GREATEST ARCHITECT OF THE RENAISSANCE
A True Renaissance Man: an Architect, a Sculptor and an Inventor
about
- born in Florence, Italy in 1377
- grew up in Italy; mostly Florence, spent time in surrounding cities
- son of an eminent notary
- second of three sons
- grew up around art, architecture & sculpture everywhere
- competed against Lorenzo Ghiberti
- worked alongside Donatello
- became a goldsmith in 1398 (in Pistoia)
- trained as goldsmith & sculptor at the Arte della Seta
- became master goldsmith: 1400
- invented linear perspective
- built the Dome of the Florentine Cathedral
- Patronage by Cosimo de Medici
Is Brunelleschi a Renaissance Man?
defined as someone who is:
- creative (he was an inventor, sculptor, architect)
- educated (he invented linear perspective)
- religious (he built the dome on the Florentine Chapel)
- patron of the arts (Cosimo de Medici was his patron)
- determined/persistent (he finished what he started)
- inspired by ancient Greek societies (inspired by the Pantheon)
- well-balanced (mainly an architect, also an inventor & sculptor)
Scientific Naturalism
- defined as the observation/study of the natural world
- such as geometry and proportions
- Brunelleschi invented linear perspective
- in his Dome, he perfectly placed each brick to maintain the weight in the Dome itself
Individualism
- defined as the new emphasis on individual achievement
- religion falls under this category
- lots of his work was part of cathedrals & chapels
- he expressed his own ideas & inventions
Brunelleschi's Dome
Blueprints
As Brunelleschi set to work to begin this complex dome, he spent many long hours preparing and perfecting a unique design.
Florentine Cathedral
When completed, the cathedral, which still stands strong today, become a beautiful piece of art that is always remembered to be done by this wonderful genius.
Dome
Each brick, layer, and detail that went into the Dome created a unique and ingenious plan that would keep this monstrous building standing.
About this Piece
- Created in 1420
- A beautifully constructed work of art, handmade with bricks and wood using intricate design and strategy, made by Brunelleschi
- Found in Florence, still standing
- Important because no dome, except the Pantheon, had ever existed this large
- Used rings and ribs, a herringbone pattern to make an inner and outer dome, each very different from the other
- Inner Dome: lighter, held up Outer
- Outer Dome: seen by the people, beautiful, heavy
- closely linked to scientific naturalism because of its proportions and geometric factors
- I believe it is his most well-known, very important at the time, and it truly is intriguing as to how he created it
Works Cited
- unknown. Florentine Cathedral, Exterior, Dome. 1436. Florentine Chapel, Florence, Italy. artstor. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
- unknown. Santo Spirito (Florence, Italy); dome. N.d. Florentine Chapel, Italy, Florence, Italy. Artstor. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
- Brunelleschi. Dome of the Cathedral of Florence; diagram showing the construction technique. N.d. Florentine Chapel, Italy, Florence, Italy. artstor. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
- unknown. Santa Maria del Fiore (Cathedral : Florence, Italy). N.d. Florentine Chapel, Italy, Florence, Italy. artstor. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
- unknown. Filippo Brunelleschi; profile. N.d. unknown, Florence, Italy. www.biography.com. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.