By: Emily Stevens

Filippo Brunelleschi

Florence, Italy is where Filippo Brunelleschi was born and raised.

His father was a lawyer, and made sure his son had the appropriate education to become a lawyer.

Later, the young Brunelleschi developed interests in things other than law.

He started working with Benincasa Lotti as a goldsmith.

Then he not only learned engraving and other skills of a goldsmith, but also the science of motion…

Background

After entering a contest to design bronze doors and losing, Brunelleschi angrily left the city.

From there, he went to Rome and worked with a sculptor named Donatello.

Eventually, Brunelleschi returned to Florence.When he got back, a church needed a dome

to be designed and constructed.The dome that was needed had never been

built before, but Brunelleschi was up for the challenge.

Beginnings

This is a stained glass window inside the Pazzi Chapel. It reflects that stained glass windows were very popular during the Renaissance period.

Brunelleschi worked with the Medici on many different projects.

Since he had such an interest an Ancient Rome, he used pillars in his work.

After completing many different tasks, he still strived for the job to build the dome for the cathedral.

There was not enough wood nearby for the cathedral, so he thought of something brand new.

He worked very hard on the job and after 16 years, he successfully completed the task.

Jobs

The Ospedale Degli Innocenti was a children’s hospital. It differed from most of Brunelleschi’s works because the others were churches.

Brunelleschi brought many new ideas into architecture and even engineering.

So many buildings in Florence were designed by Brunelleschi, and it would not be the same without him.

Contributions

The Church of San Spirito was Brunelleschi’s first big project and also a big challenge. This changed architecture and gave Brunelleschi his fame.