The typical Italian Gothic building,
the Cathedral of Florence, is dedicated to "Santa
Maria del Fiore". The church was designed by
Arnolfo di Cambio (c1245-1302) who considerably enlarged
the existing religious structure. Finished around
1367, the Cathedral was completely covered by coloured
marbles like the earlier Baptistery, except for the
façade that remained unfinished and was terminated
only in the 19th century.
The project left unfinished also the Dome, since in
1421 only the frame (polygonal base) had been erected.
Two architects, Lorenzo Ghiberti (1368-1445) and Filippo
Brunelleschi (1377-1446) won the competition although
it was the latter who actually built the dome, showing
a great mastery of technical knowledge, in 1436.
One of the most remarkable features of the outside
of the building is the socalled "Porta della
Mandorla"(north) (della mandorla = almond)
that was given this name because of the large aureole
around the figure of the Virgin sculptured also by
Nanni di Banco (1380/90-1421) among others.
Its interior preserves very important works of art:
on the left side we find the first two detached frescoes
showing the "Condottiero Giovanni Acuto"and
"Niccolò da Tolentino" painted respectively
by Paolo Uccello in 1436 and by Andrea del Castagno
in 1456. Paolo Uccello also frescoed the clock on
the inside wall, showing four vogorous "heads
of saints". The many sculptures made specifically
for the cathedral (many of which have now been moved
to the "Museo dell´Opera del Duomo"), comprise
also the "Lunettes" by Luca della
Robbia above the doors of the Mass Sacristies. The
large "Pietà" by Michelangelo (c.
1553) has instead been removed and transferred to
the "Museo dell´Opera del Duomo".
Most of the splendid stained glass windows were made
between 1434 and 1455 to the designs of famous artists
like Donatello, Andrea del Castagno and Paolo Uccello.
The wooden inlays on the Sacristy´s cupboards were
designed by Brunelleschi and other artists, including
Antonio del Pollaiolo.
The internal walls of the dome, which have recently
been restored, were frescoed between 1572 and 1579
by Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574) and Federico Zuccari
(c. 1990-1609) who represented a large scene of the
"Final Judgement".
The bell tower by Giotto remains, together with the
hudge dome one of the most striking views of the town.
The famous painter, Giotto, was in fact also the architect
of the project for the bell tower, although by the
time of his death (1337) only the lower part had been
completed. The works continued under the direction
of Andrea Pisano (c. 1290-1349) and Francesco Talenti
(not. 1325-1369) who completed the project.
THE RELIEFS OF THE LOWER ROW OF THE CAMPANILE
BY GIOTTO AND ANDREA PISANO |
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| The reliefs in the lower row of te campanile, depict the creation of man and woman, the beginnings of human work, and the "inventors (according to the Bible) of various creative activities: sheep-herding, music, metallurgy, wine-making. In the upper register are the 7 planets, beginning with Jupiter at the north corner. On the other facades, in the lower registerwe find astrology, building,medicine, weaving and other technical and scientific endeavors.In the upper registers are: on the south,the theological and cardinal virtues; on the east,the liberal arts of the Trivium and Quadrivium;to the north,the seven sacraments. The statues in the niches representthe patriarchs, prophets and kings of Israel, and pagan sybils. |
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