Review: Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross King
Brunelleschi’s Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture
by Ross King
The dome atop Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the most popular icons of Florence; images of it are sold throughout the city on coffee mugs, t-shirts, postcards and even umbrellas. Although the dome had been part of the cathedral’s design since the 14th century, no one knew how to raise it, for the size and scope of the project was unprecedented in medieval architecture. By the time Filipo Brunelleschi submitted his proposal to the Opera del Duomo in 1418 to raise the dome, the cathedral had been under construction for over two hundred years. His plan was accepted, and over the next twenty-eight years Brunelleschi worked to finish the dome, designing new construction techniques and machines that pushed architecture from a mere craft into the realm of art.
I read this book in preparation for a trip to Florence, and I found Ross King’s narrative to be both captivating and clear. Architecture is not my area of specialty, so I was relieved at how accessible and easy to read King’s book was for me. It explains the properties of different materials and the machines used by medieval builders so well that I could easily picture them - and a wise selection of illustrations from a variety of Italian sources supplemented the text throughout.
Just as important as the technical information was the personalities brought to life in the text. Ross brings many of the principle men involved in the construction to life, from cantankerous Brunelleschi to his arch-rival, Lorenzo Ghiberti. A picture of Florentine life is painted for artisans at many levels of society; I especially enjoyed reading about the stone masons and brick makers who did the majority of the work necessary to execute Brunnelleschi’s scheme.
One thing I found a little distracting was King’s habit of sliding off into tangents; for example, a discussion of a trick Brunelleschi played on Ghiberti early in the cathedral’s construction turns into a history of Brunelleschi’s pranks. I found these little asides illuminating, but sometimes I’d forget all about the original train of thought.
If you’re thinking of traveling to Florence, I’d definitely recommend reading Brunelleschi’s Dome before you go. You’ll be seeing it everywhere you go - best to know the history beforehand, right? - and this is a very accessible and entertaining way to learn about it.
5 out of 5 stars
To read more about Brunelleschi’s Dome, buy it or add it to your wishlist click here.
Brunelleschi's Dome
by Ross King
The dome atop Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the most popular icons of Florence; images of it are sold throughout the city on coffee mugs, t-shirts, postcards and even umbrellas. Although the dome had been part of the cathedral’s design since the 14th century, no one knew how to raise it, for the size and scope of the project was unprecedented in medieval architecture. By the time Filipo Brunelleschi submitted his proposal to the Opera del Duomo in 1418 to raise the dome, the cathedral had been under construction for over two hundred years. His plan was accepted, and over the next twenty-eight years Brunelleschi worked to finish the dome, designing new construction techniques and machines that pushed architecture from a mere craft into the realm of art.
I read this book in preparation for a trip to Florence, and I found Ross King’s narrative to be both captivating and clear. Architecture is not my area of specialty, so I was relieved at how accessible and easy to read King’s book was for me. It explains the properties of different materials and the machines used by medieval builders so well that I could easily picture them - and a wise selection of illustrations from a variety of Italian sources supplemented the text throughout.
Just as important as the technical information was the personalities brought to life in the text. Ross brings many of the principle men involved in the construction to life, from cantankerous Brunelleschi to his arch-rival, Lorenzo Ghiberti. A picture of Florentine life is painted for artisans at many levels of society; I especially enjoyed reading about the stone masons and brick makers who did the majority of the work necessary to execute Brunnelleschi’s scheme.
One thing I found a little distracting was King’s habit of sliding off into tangents; for example, a discussion of a trick Brunelleschi played on Ghiberti early in the cathedral’s construction turns into a history of Brunelleschi’s pranks. I found these little asides illuminating, but sometimes I’d forget all about the original train of thought.
If you’re thinking of traveling to Florence, I’d definitely recommend reading Brunelleschi’s Dome before you go. You’ll be seeing it everywhere you go - best to know the history beforehand, right? - and this is a very accessible and entertaining way to learn about it.
5 out of 5 stars
To read more about Brunelleschi’s Dome, buy it or add it to your wishlist click here.
Brunelleschi's Dome