Brunelleschi, Filippo (1377-1446)

Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Florence, Italy. Building began in 1296 under Arnolfo de Cambio, on the site of the 12th-century cathedral of Santa Reparata. The exterior façade is clad in green, red, and white marble, and dates from 1875.

The dome of the cathedral in Florence, Italy, designed and built by the architect Brunelleschi in 1436. It was designed in the style of Roman vaults and is a brick construction for which very little scaffolding was used, as it was important not to disturb the services of the cathedral.

Interior photograph of the dome of the Pazzi chapel in Santa Croce Church, Florence, Italy, designed and built by the architect Filippo Brunelleschi in 1429. Brunelleschi also completed the dome of Florence Cathedral in the form of a circular structure on an eight-sided base.

Italian Renaissance architect. The first and one of the greatest of the Renaissance architects, he pioneered the scientific use of perspective. He was responsible for the construction of the dome of Florence Cathedral (completed 1436), a feat deemed impossible by many of his contemporaries.

His use of simple geometries and a modified classical language lend his buildings a feeling of tranquillity, to which many other early Renaissance architects aspired. His other works include the Ospedale degli Innocenti (1419) and the Pazzi Chapel (1429), both in Florence.