Brunelleschi: Studies of His Technology and Incentions FROM THE PUBLISHER
A pioneer of Italian Renaissance architecture, Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) is most famous for his daring and original ideas, among them the magnificent dome of Florence's famed cathedral -- Santa Maria del Fiore. For the project, which was started in 1420 and substantially completed by 1434, Brunelleschi designed a huge dome without supporting framework. The construction took place during much of his lifetime and formed the basis of Italian architecture of the period. Complemented by 28 photographs and 18 line illustrations, this comprehensive narrative describes Brunelleschi's many remarkable achievements, among them masonry techniques for building the cupola; construction concepts, including the use of stone and wood chains; machines he devised and built (a reversible hoist and elevated cranes); and other inventions. Of value to students of architecture and engineering, this volume will appeal to anyone with an interest in Renaissance studies.
SYNOPSIS
Brunelleschi was a diminutive man with big ideas who shaped the architecture of the Renaissance. In this reprint of the 1970 edition by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press, Prager and Scaglia examine Brunelleschi's original works, especially the huge unsupported dome of the Santa Maria del Flore cathedral in Florence. They also examine the machines such as hoists and cranes he designed and built for construction. The authors include modern detailed illustrations of the structure of the dome, photographs of details, and Brunelleschi's own sketches of his dome and the machines he invented to build it. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
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