Brunelleschi Architecture in Florence
Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446), who designed the Dome of Florence Cathedral, is considered the father of Florentine Renaissance architecture. Simplicity and the purity of lines characterize his style. Aiming at celebrating man rationality, he was particularly interested in perspective and in the harmonious distribution of volumes in space.
Brunelleschi
The Dome of Florence Cathedral is certainly Brunelleschi`s most famous work. It has an octagonal base and was built without erecting any scaffoldings: the rings that compose the dome were completed in succession. Brunelleschi`s masterpiece excited Michelangelo`s admiration.
Brunelleschi transformed the figure of the architect from a simple master mason into someone who, using his mathematical skills to elaborate balance and perspective formulae and thanks to designs and models, could draft complete projects.
The porch of the Spedale degli Innocenti (1419), the Sagrestia Vecchia - or Old Sacristy - in San Lorenzo (1428) and the Cappella dei Pazzi in Santa Croce (1430) are other examples of the remarkable sense of proportions of the famous Florentine architect. Brunelleschi designed the Church of San Lorenzo (1425), whose construction was financed by the Medici family, and that of Santo Spirito (1436). Unfortunately, Brunelleschi died before of their end.
