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The Dome of Florence Cathedral by Brunelleschi

The Dome of Florence Cathedral
by Filippo Brunelleschi
1418-1436, Florence, Italy

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The dome of Florence Cathedral by Brunelleschi is an image that has become synonymous with the rich and vibrant lifestyle of Italian Renaissance culture. Both architect and artist Filippo, Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) entered and won the Florentine competition announced in 1418 for the design of the Florence Cathedral dome. The overall church design of Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral) was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296 and underwent construction through different phases for many years. Giotto di Bondone designed the bell tower for the cathedral in 1334. The apse was almost finished when Brunelleschi began work on the dome, his work chosen for its revolutionary design.

The actual construction of the Florence Cathedral dome by skilled Italian craftsmen took about 16 years and was finally completed in 1436. Brunelleschi's design features a double-walled ovoid shell anchored at the bottom by a 15 meter high tambour eliminating the need for scaffolding and reinforcement. The dome is 44 meters in diameter and 113 meters high topped by a lantern that is accessed by a stairway between the interior and exterior walls of the dome. Florence Cathedral is commonly known simply as The Duomo because of the beauty and magnificence of Brunelleschi's design and its striking impact on the skyline of Florence.

Brenda Harness, Art Historian