RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE

Filippo Brunelleschi: Italian Renaissance Architect

Filippo Brunelleschi: Italian Renaissance Architect

Introduction

Renaissance phase was begun as the Italian architectures built some new and unique buildings. This phase had witnessed huge achievements and cultural changes in Europe. This era of change in architectural design begins at the end of 13th century and end in 15th century which highlights the changes between Early Modern Europe and Medieval. The term renaissance was first coined by well known historian Jacob Burckhardt in 19th century, in his work regarding the history of architecture. Till the end of the century Renaissance did not come into full swing. The word however means “revival or rebirth”, and the period was best known for the conversion of interest of people in the culture of classical antique as previous period before Renaissance, has been labeled as dark ages by the historians. (Battisti, 1981)

The Italian method for construction was a different 19th century phase in the history of typical designs, as this gives the world a lot of great designs. In the Italian style the architectural terminologies and models of 16th century Italian Renaissance building had provide an inspiration for both Neoclassicism and Palladianism and were manufactured with pleasing aesthetics. The architecture style that was created at that time was also recognized as Neo-Renaissance. (Heydenreich, 1996 & Battisti, 1981)

On the other hand, the idea of humanism also began in the 14th century in Italy and had flourished in the 15th century, with renaissance. Italians had than started to emphasize on increasing knowledge and education (particularly that of the classical antique), they encouraged the examination of the individual's potential and desire to excel in any field, as well as the dedication to moral and civic duties. The artistic genius that developed in the 14th century combined with the spread of humanism and the thriving economic prosperity all nourished an innovative and extended artistic culture i.e. the Renaissance. (Battisti, 1981)

For the humanists, as we have previously discussed, the quest for knowledge began with the Romans and Greeks, the writings of Plato, Aristotle and Socrates and others. The progress of a common Tuscan dialect helped spread this increasing knowledge as well as the German invention of a movable metal type (as briefly touched upon in 15th century Europe). Venice was one of the first cities to boast about this new movable type which helped in printing of many things - such as art prints and books. One of the first books to be printed was Dante's vernacular epic, Divine Comedy. (Beck, 1981)

Humanist also obtained information in a wide variety of subjects such as botany, geology, geography, optics, medicine, and engineering. Filipo Brunelleschi is also a humanist and an excellent example of a “Renaissance Man” with his range of knowledge in art, architecture, mathematics, hydraulics, military science and many and others. The people of the Renaissance were more focused more on the individual and had a more secular stance where as the people of the Middle Ages were more based on great power and divine ...