Filippo Brunelleschi was born in Florence in 1377. He began his training there as an apprentice goldsmith, gaining status as a master in 1404. However, it is his work in architecture for which he is best known.
Brunelleschi began his architectural career in 1404 when he acted as an advisor for Santa Maria Novella, but his involvement with the cupola for the duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, in Florence marked his first foray as a practicing architect. He worked on this project off and on from 1417 until 1434. The dome added by Filippo Brunelleschi is the largest brick and mortar dome in the world, eclipsing St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London. It took 16 years to build.
All of Brunelleschi's works indicate that he possessed inventiveness as both an engineer and as an architect.
Clad in white, pink and green Tuscan marble the Duomo cannot be missed.
The view from the top of Brunelleschi’s dome is highly recommended. Take the 463 serpentine stairs to view the interior construction and the spectacular panorama from the Lantern area. This view will provide you with a perspective that can be an aid in orienting you to the city and its neighborhoods. The view down from the dome to the interior of the church reveals the maze design of the pavement. The Last Judgement frescoes by Vasari are within the dome and deserve your attention having been completely restored from 1981-1996.
Brunelleschi was the first architect to employ mathematical perspective to redefine Gothic and Romanesque space and to establish new rules of proportioning and symmetry. He is considered the main initiator of stylistic changes in Renaissance architecture. Brunelleschi died in Florence in 1446.
Brunelleschi's other work in Florence:
Ospedale Degli Innocenti
The Church of Santo Spirito
The facade of the Palazzo Pitti
San Lorenzo
Capella de’Pazzi (Pazzi Chapel)
Santa Maria degli Angeli
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