The Dome of Florence Cathedral by
Brunelleschi
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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
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