Welcome to Team A's presentation of Santa Maria del Fiore. Let us introduce you to Florenz, Italy.Florence,or in Italian Firenze is the capital of the province of Tuscany, located on the Arno River, located at the foot of the Apennines. The city is world famous for their buildings, art galleries and museums. Beginning with Gothic architecture and then the Renaissance architecture. The city is also an important commercial and industrial center, and a transportation hub. The Florentine handicraft industry is world renowned for the manufacture of jewelry (made of gold and cameo) and leather goods. Many towers of palaces and churches, as well as the famous Dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, are seen high above the rooftops of Florence.In this power-point presentation we will discuss the construction of the dome and the baptistry.Construction on the cathedral began under the leadership of architect Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296. His successors continued the work on the Cathedral in accordance with his plans. The building was finally completed in 1420-1461 by Filippo Brunelleschi.
The 85-meter bell tower stands right next to the Cathedral and construction on it begun in the 14th century by the architect Giotto and was completed by Andrea Pisano.Unlike the very classic, Roman, and Florentian styles of the Cathedral and Bapistry, the Bell Tower is a phenomenal example of pure Gothic Architecture, which was mostly a voided in the construction of the other parts of the complex. Strong, tall, vertical lines accentuate the 14th century gothic style. The corner buttresses which adorn the outer building rise the full length of the tower, and the simple square shape symbolizes the solidarity of the structure. More aesthetic in nature than purposeful, the hexagonal interior is designed in red, green and white marble, giving unifying characteristics to the other parts of the complex. The tall Sinese style windows complete the gothic style tower while maintaining the classic nature of the original design. ("Il Grande Museo Del Duomo", n.d.).
The inventor and designer of the dome was Filippo Brunelleschi. Brunelleschi studied the construction and design of the Pantheon in Rome and learned how to create a self-supporting dome. He then went back to Florence yearning to complete the dome of the great Cathedral. He featured his plan to create the self-supporting dome to the leaders. His plan was “an inner hemispherical dome within Florence cathedral's octagonal drum. A second, ovoid brick dome was to be placed on top, and nine sandstone rings would then hold the structure together, like a barrel. To raise the bricks and sandstone beams several hundred feet in the air, Brunelleschi invented a fast and efficient hoist with the world's first reverse gear, allowing an ox to raise or lower a load at the flick of a switch” (PBS). The demonstration of his plan was accepted and construction began to take place. Brunelleschi put forth a freestanding plan that would be financial solution, but no one could foresee how it could be done, especially since Brunelleschi was a goldsmith. He got the contract with two other builders of his time.
Florence did not like the Gothic churches strewn across Europe. They instead looked to Rome and the panthea and decided that this is what they wanted. Therein was the problem. All literature on how to build these had been discarded of long ago. The size was so large they could not see how to place the cuppola on top, without it collapsing. A committee was formed and they put forth a challenge to the local builders for the completion of it.Brunelleschi put forth a freestanding plan that would be financial solution, but no one could foresee how it could be done, especially since Brunelleschi was a goldsmith. He got the contract with two other builders of his time.When he got the contract he had to come up with a plan of bringing the material to the height of the Cathedral. He designed a lift which has not been seen before to raise and lower the material. He created the first ever reverse gear. He used two oxen to lift and lower the wheel. This was done with cog wheels interlocking. Then came the daunting task of creating the dome that would not fall inward. He developed the Herringbone technique of interlocking bricks, reinforced with iron at each of the spine of the octagon. The vertical bricks lock the bricks in place. He also had the foresight to create the Herringbone which each side going downward which prevented them from collapsing. It is the greatest mathematical master piece. He came up with the idea to used rope lines which matched the flower depicted on the ground floor of the cathedral to line up the inverted arch of the coppula. The center of the flower was the center of his Dome. Each rope line had to pass through the center of the flower and to each octagon spine. An amazing feet and foresight never to be accomplished again.
Lorenzo Ghilberti created the first door representing scenes of the New testament. This was done with completing 28 squares and seven rows. After completing these, he was commissioned to make a second door. These doors would represent the Old Testament, it also had 28 squares and seven layers. They are masterpieces to see, it took him 21 years to complete.In his early twenties Brunelleschi put in a bid in a competition to complete the Baptistry doors. He was trained in precious metals, a craft which still can be observed to this day. Working with gold and silver, if he got the contract is would give him some recognition within his community. He and Lorenzo Gilberti were finalists. The competition involved casting an experimental piece, they were given the same amount of bronze. They each produced a panel. Brunelleschi's piece was very humanistic, what captures one's attention is the fact on how he depicted the scene of the knife in relation to the child. He depicts Abraham grabbing his son by the throat and the knife is aimed to the jugular vein. The idea this represent is at the level of a genius. And with it began the renaissance. He did not get the contract, his depiction may have been a little too much for his time, but they knew who Brunelleschi was.
The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (English: Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower) is the main church of Florence, Italy. A masterpiece by painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari and that it it the largest visible area ever painted "affresco." The constuction on the Cathedral, was begun in 1296 in the Gothic style to the design of Arnolfo di Cambio and completed structurally in 1436 with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi. This is still the largest Dome in history. It is in the shape of a pointed arch. Shrouded in mystery is how this was accomplished when there was no modern help to complete this enormous structure. Brunelleschi's ingenious design allowed the lantern above the dome to rise 375 feet above the pavement. Upon the completion of the Cathedral, the only thing missing was the Dome. Florence did not like the Gothic churches strewn across Europe. They instead looked to Rome and the panthea and decided that this is what they wanted. Therein was the problem. All literature on how to build these had been discarded of long ago. The size was so large they could not see how to place the cuppola on top, without it collapsing. A committee was formed and they put forth a challenge to the local builders for the completion of it.
The stained glass windows were created by the major artists, of the of the fifteenth century era. The church is particularly notable for its 44 stained glass windows, the largest undertaking of this kind in Italy in the 14th and 15th century. The windows depict saints from the Old and the New Testament, while the circular windows in the drum of the dome or above the entrance depict Christ and Mary. Masterfully created by the work of Florentine artists. such as Donatello, Lorenzo Ghiberti, Paolo Uccello and Andrea del Castagno.
Florence Italy is the home of Micheal Angelo, Leonardo da Vinci and many others have flourished here. It is said that the completion of the Dome began the renaissance age.This is still the largest Dome in history. It is in the shape of a pointed arch. Shrouded in mystery is how this was accomplished when there was no modern help to complete this enormous structure. Brunelleschi's ingenious design allowed the lantern above the dome to rise 375 feet above the pavement. Upon the completion of the Cathedral, the only thing missing was the Dome.
Consistent in form and the octagonal shape, the Bapistry is covered in slabs of white Carrara and green Prato marbles. The dome here is only apparent from the inside as the outside is hidden by protective risen walls and topped with a pyramidal flattened roof. Inside, the dome is created by eight separate sections resting atop of perimetral walls. The Bapistry is of Roman-Florentinian influence as seen in the large columns that hold the horizontal lintels. Three bronze doors also adorn the entry ways set with reliefs depicting the final judgment. ("Il Grande Museo Del Duomo", n.d.).Unlike the very classic, Roman, and Florentian styles of the Cathedral and Bapistry, the Bell Tower is a phenomenal example of pure Gothic Architecture, which was mostly avoided in the construction of the other parts of the complex. Strong, tall, vertical lines accentuate the 14th century gothic style. The corner buttresses which adorn the outer building rise the full length of the tower, and the simple square shape symbolizes the solidarity of the structure. More aesthetic in nature than purposeful, the hexagonal interior is designed in red, green and white marble, giving unifying characteristics to the other parts of the complex. The tall Sinese style windows complete the gothic style tower while maintaining the classic nature of the original design. ("Il Grande Museo Del Duomo", n.d.).
The area under the dome contains the Choir and High Altar, enclosed in an octagonal space.The 8-sided shape, also used in the Baptistry signifies the time of the Risen Christ, yet to be fulfilled. The octagonal space of the Duomo's High Altar is about the same size as the Baptistry, thus recreating the oldest space in Florence below an elaborated Renaissance cupola.
In Conclusion: Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the most astonishing buildings of history and even today. The grand masterpiece is a reflection of numerous styles and ambitious architectural feats. It is said that upon completion of the giant dome, style turned away from the 14th century Gothic style and originated the Renaissance style. The building is beyond a shelter of religious ceremonies and beliefs, it is a piece or art treasured by all, withstanding natural disaster and the test of time. Thank you for your time, we hope you enjoyed our presentation.References:Archinomy. March 2014. Retrieved from http://www.archinomy.com/case- studies/946/ florence-cathedralFlorence Art Guide. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.mega.it/eng/egui/monu/bo.htm Galluzzi, P.: Renaissance Engineers. From Brunelleschi to Leonardo da Vinci. Istitutoe Museo di Storia della Scienza, Florence. 1st Edition, 1996. Il Grande Museo del Duomo. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.museumflorence.com/enMega. (n.d.). March 2014. Retrieved from http://www.mega.it/eng/egui/monu/buq.htmPBS. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/empires/medici/renaissance/ brunelleschi.htmlSettle, T.B.: Brunelleschi’s horizontal arches and related devices. Annali dell’Istitutoe Museo diSporre, D. J. (2011). Perceiving the arts: An introduction to the Humanities (10th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
