Brunelleschi's Dome

History, Art, The Renaissance, Florence, Architecture, Mastery...

Author: Ross King     Length: 167 pages     Genre: Non-Fiction

Consider the beauty given by Webster's dictionary to the definition of accuracy. 

Accuracy:  Freedom from error.  

One may understand this deeper after weaving through the pages of Brunelleschi’s Dome by Ross King.  It spins the tale of Fillipo Brunelleschi, goldsmith & clockmaker, born late 1300's, turned Architect & Capomaestro.  He re-invented perspective drawing,  inspired Da Vinci & Michelangelo, propelled engineering, astronomy, art, & designed the church dome of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence.  

The original designers of the church were not even certain the dome could be built & stated in faith that when the time came, God would raise up someone with the proper capacities.

Before reading this historically waxed & finely-vintaged book, I did not know of the domed wonder .  Which 1400's Leon Battista Alberti describes thus:

"What man, however hard of hearts or jealous, would not praise Pippo the architect when he sees here such an enormous construction towering above the heavens, vast enough to cover the entire Tuscan population with its shadow, and done without the aid of beams or elaborate wooden supports?"

I felt a growing desire to look at Brunelleschi's Dome beyond what was shown in the book.  I found an aerial view of the dome online - The astonishing image left me with a sense of awe & joy I am still recalling to this day.  Then I realized…

From the convenience of comfortable chair in my own home, I was swooping over his architectural masterpiece as only a bird or angel could, looking at the dome from a viewpoint Filippo himself never saw whilst living. What holy privilege could this be?    

Architecture was becoming more of a mystery to me than I had ever given it credit.  Unfolding more in my mind.  Architecture is a physical form you grant and pull over a given space in the world.  Creating a new space within space.  

One architect may seek to steal space for his own gain, another architect gives back to space, as a gift or offering.  Of course there are always mixtures, as painters know.  What true beauty is that rare Architect and master, like Filippo, who becomes by hard work & suffering wisdom, a "Capomaestro". 

"The Capomaestro" seeks an astute near cosmic balance, not only of the forces of physics, but of beauty, which may reach out to the eye with aesthetic delight or with troubled poverty.  He is working for the community, for the state, for the glory of God.  A shining wisdom placed in his heart, pours out through the palms of his hands.  Constant decisions are before him, setbacks befall him, deadlines ail him, materials crumble on him, gravity tugs at him, hammers sound at him, friends turn from him, funds extinguish, weather strikes, wind beats.  But every day he emerges, meeting the construction site head on, that visual image of the line separating chaos from achievement.  What gifts of character had Filippo!  What strength of prayer & faith his community held, that God granted them such a man & such a church.