Filippo Brunelleschi
The First Engineer Of The
Renaissance
Unorthodox
► Filippo
was the first architect of the Renaissance to
come up with new ways to design and build
buildings.
► Example: The first free standing dome built in the
Renaissance atop the Cathedral in Florence.
► Filippo used his inventive mind to earn himself a
spot in the history books.
► Until recently he has not been that well known.
We are just now starting to realize his true genius.
To Start Out
► Brunelleschi
was the apprentice of a gold smith
named Benincasa Lotti.
► Lotti taught him how to mount, engrave and
emboss, as well as the science of motion using the
wheel, gears, cogs and weights.
► In 1401 there was a competition in which Filippo
participated, but when it was time to show his
design he became paranoid that someone would
steal his work. He hid and watched his peer steal
the prize.
► He later left Florence for Rome.
When in Rome…
► While
in Rome he studied the Roman ruins.
► He was particularly interested in the domes
and vaults and how they were built.
► He saw that the Romans built these
structures by pouring Roman concrete over
a large wooden frame.
► This is where he began trying to recreate
the structures he saw and understanding
how they worked
Greatest Accomplishment
► In
1436 Filippo’s
greatest build was
celebrated by the Pope
and the Medici family.
The 37,000 ton dome
on the Cathedral of
Florence used
4,000,000 bricks and
took 16 years to build.
It is truly a marvel to
behold.
The dome of the Duomo of
Florence
Accomplishments Cont.
► In
1434 Brunslleschi
held a meeting to
show a new skill he
was trying to develop
called perspective. He
did this by using
reflective material and
pinholes. He created a
3D object in 2D.
The Pazzi Chapel
This chapel is
one of most
beautiful
churches built
during the
Renaissance
This chapel was
designed by
Filippo in the
1430s
Its domes
and columns
are truly a
marvel of
architecture
Filippo sculpted the Crucifixion
following a bet with his friends
The Sacrifice of Isaac provokes true
awe