The Florence Cathedral
"The Florence Cathedral"
also known as,
"Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore"
Exquisite! Stunning! Perfecto! Religiously Royal! Magnificent! I have always been fascinated with Architecture of all sorts throughout my life; architecture from all areas and era's of this world. With nearly 150 years of contributed construction of 'The Florence Cathedral,' it was recorded to have begun in 1296 designed by the vision of Italian architect and sculptor, Arnolfo di Cambio. Inspired by the Roman and Byzantine styles, the original inspiration derived from the Gothic Medieval Era, while the exterior of the cathedral ultimately reflected a more unique religious symbol, a Latin cross. Historically known as the 'Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore' translates to, the 'Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower.' Artistically, the exterior was built by famous commissioned architects and sculptors. The interior of the cathedral was created by some of the world's most well-known Renaissance craftsman, painters, goldsmiths, masonry's, and sculptors, and supported by their current leaders of the Renaissance. In all areas of construction every commissioned hand served different forms of art by using and by each applying a diverse range of materials. The Roman Catholic ‘Duomo’ was structurally completed in 1469; though continued over time had subsequent additions and changes.
The basilica was presumed to have many exterior features resembling the life of the religious Italian Roman values. It contains one main dome designed by Di Cambio; though it was structurally completed by the founding father of Renaissance architecture, Filippo Brunelleschi. Donatello and Nanni de Blanco were of great help to Brunelleschi overcoming challenges to construct the Duomo with ingenious solutions and tough competitors. With three chapels, several square bays, a few aisles, two smaller polygonal chapels, a central nave, and supporting arches it resembles a Latin cross from an aerial view and from an interior walk-through. The Cathedral's spectacular angles that form a three-dimensional geometric figure is what draws the attention to the eyes of spectators, standing 376 feet at its highest point.
The exquisite exterior polychrome marble panels were painted in many shades of green and pink with white bordering. This exterior is held together with ingenious designing including iron chains, marble, limestone and sandstone bricks with copper and bronze metals. All used by ancient well-thought-out curvatures, hoists, and links of geometric and linear techniques.
The aesthetic planning resulted to include many interior creative ornaments, paintings, stained glass windows and statues. The façade was originally designed by Arnolfo; however, through corrupt competition during this war-filled, Black Plagued, Famine threatened and evolving Era it led to many others, whom all gave their best shot, at being the selected commissioned artist for final designing and construction. In the years of 1587 to 1588 the Medici's royal family member Francesco I de Medici ordered the destruction of Arnolfo's façade design and offered it to Giotto de Bondone, then to Andrea Orcagna until he finally commissioned Taddeo Gaddi's design.
After all the hard-physical labor put into the completion of the Florence Cathedral, it was inspired by several upcoming and falling rulers of the general area. The original Gothic medieval style, to the Latin influences, and on to establishing the tone of the Italian Renaissance, the Church has housed Popes overtime and is the fourth largest church in the world today.
Throughout the creation of the approximately 142 years of construction the dome's 'The Last Judgement' painting was ordered by Grand Duke Cosimo I de Medici to Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari to complete. Florentine sculptors Donatello, Nanni de Banco, and Agostino de Duccio placed many religiously famous statues inside and outside, including Donatello’s Saint John the Evangelist and Michelangelo’s statue of David. Locally born Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were vital decorators of the Florence Cathedral. As was, Giorgio Vasari and who started the main dome’s world-wide known fresco painting, The Last Judgement, in 1568 and was then completed by his accomplice Federico Zuccari in 1579, who painted in secco. This painting is magnificent, well known and the most well-perfected painting in the world today, where millions go to witness each year.
By Livioandronico2013 - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54032080
In my perspective of learning the European History, the Italian and Northern Renaissance and Art movements was an important role in the expansion of development and life that eventually spread to the America's and even our own country, the United States. While the US Capitol Building is said to be built similar to Neo-classical styles like a grand-mansion federal designed structure it is historically inspired and echoed by classical Roman and Greek influence. Features included, the curvatures of a domed roof, and the geometrical linear, symmetrical and triangular shapes. The stone mason pillars inspired the sustainable features of Roman and Greek neighbors of the Italian and Northern Renaissance population whose style rhythmically spread through Europe after the Renaissance's occurrence.
Myself, coming from one of the Northern most region in the United States, Northern Interior Alaska, I have placed myself in my local 'Community Hall' throughout my life time; a place that resembles a geometrical octagon style, located at the only place on earth I know, as 'My Home'. Passed on from generation to generation since the communities' official establishment in 1906, 'the Hall' is a place that is well-respected by the local indigenous people known as a place of unity, celebration, and honoring to respectively recognize each other's, the spirits, the land, the animals, the water, the food, the air and our church religion that was changed and passed on from Europe, Episcopalism.
While I am highly intrigued and deeply inspired
by this piece of exquisite architecture, I am not so sure I would own a replica
painting myself; however, I would gladly fulfill a dream of physically touring
the Florence Cathedral to witness the designing as my personal desire. The timing
and the brutal lifestyle in such an era with no electricity and dark life is
not such an adoring thought because in another way I appreciate the positive
aspects of civilization. Law enforcement, healthcare providers, first
responders, warriors and veterans, economists, historians and artists, clean
water and clean air, medicinal cures for illness or disease, technology,
communication, transportation and much more is what I am grateful for; All, of
what was not so appreciated or yet have evolved during the Renaissance. My
cultural values, my ancestors, my traditional lifestyle, my home land history
and current traditional arts is what makes 'me' unique, along with the diverse
population in this country and world because those certain civilized aspects of
life (listed above) today, unite us as people.
Your time in reading my blog is appreciated. -elisa
"Education is one of the most powerful things in life. It allows us to find the meaning behind everything and helps improve lives in a massive way." - by Norbert Juma, Editor at Everyday Power. Published on May 25, 2020 06:30 am EST.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Cathedral
http://www.italianrenaissance.org/cathedral-of-santa-maria-del-fiore-in-florence/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House
https://www.lutheranindianministries.org/news/alaskainterior/vacation-bible-school-in-alaska
By Paolo Villa - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39353393
http://www.italianrenaissance.org/cathedral-of-santa-maria-del-fiore-in-florence/
https://www.thecrazytourist.com/20-best-things-florence-italy/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol
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