(3) Medici Florence, and Papal Rome

Renaissance

revive ancient Creo-Crotian culture, not just copying antiquity but discover underlying principles of design to surpass precedent models + restoration of lost social and political order 

• Epicident = 14th, 15 century Prince 

• Begging: leaders of Italian merchant republics educate youth as biomass = expose 2 greek and latin sources 

• Achievement: discovering harmonious oppositions linked to classical order, uniform scale and geometric basis 

History of Florence

commune --> replublic --> elective officals

then Medici family rules

• Commune = republic with elected officials = stable 1300 = control over nobility 

• Wealthy families = influence = artistic output in Florence 

  • At first = did not flaunt wealth and artistic output = fear of tax burdens 

• Funded projects: Palazzo Vecchio + new cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) + Orsanmichele

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Flood of 1333 destroyed the original bridge;

rebuilt in the 1340s by Neri di Fioravanti with funding from the Arte della Lana (wool guild).

New design: three arches replaced the original five → introduced segmental arches (flatter curve, equal compressive strength).

Width doubled to 18 m (59 ft); lined with single‑bay brownstone shops under a uniform parapet.

Central square opening at mid‑span created a piazza overlooking the Arno River.

Became a model of urban symmetry and geometric order; rents from 43 shops financed construction.

Later generations added overhanging dwellings on brackets above shop level → created the bridge’s picturesque irregular skyline seen today

Cosimo de'Medici + arc

- replaced ____ w squares

building treated as objects w proportions

- wanted ideal sity - before said = ugly - moen spent to make it grand - backrupt the _____

emienet domain - maginifezne

Palazzo Vecchio = low ren

Santa Maria del Fiore = high ren

Uffiz = mannerism

- less gotrhi ---> more classic

Santa Maria del Fiore

Arnolfo di Cambio, Francesco Talenti, Filippo Brunelleschi, et al. 1296-1446CE

Santa Maria del Fiore

Arnolfo di Cambio, Francesco Talenti, Filippo Brunelleschi, et al. 1296-1446CE

BLACK DEATH + comp

Construction halted = black death

After black death = population decline = lots of wealth = few hands = economic porosity → funding of public + private are + civic projects

As a result florence = most orderly city, well paced + drained streets + monumental civic buildings + stone clad private palaces

Santa Maria del Fiore

Arnolfo di Cambio, Francesco Talenti, Filippo Brunelleschi, et al. 1296-1446CE

comp

As a result florence = most orderly city, well paced + drained streets + monumental civic buildings + stone clad private palaces

Wanted to avail cities of Pisa and Sience w dome

Wanted cupola (dome) = wide as Panethon but x2 height

eminent domain

Santa Maria del Fiore

Arnolfo di Cambio, Francesco Talenti, Filippo Brunelleschi, et al. 1296-1446CE

eminent domain

• = clear surrounding buildings and legislated houses to be rebuilt w stone classing and round arches door = echo dome,

Santa Maria del Fiore

architects + role

Arnolfo di Cambio = proposed plan →Francesco Talenti = dome idea → Neri Di Fioravanti = dome central of cogan model → Filippo Brunelleschi = solution for dome

Arnoldo di Cambio = Gothic style Plan - quadruple ribbed exhausting spanning the nave and 2 side aisles 

Frnecsco Talenti = extended length of nave + extra bay + outlined octagonal dome over crossing

Neri Di Fiorvant = scale model = domes central octagon = stepped down to 3 partial octagon = contained 5 radiating chapels

Fillipo Bruellschi = dome

Filippo Brunelleschi

gold smith

not arc

becomes 1st moderl arc

- SYSTEMATICALLY used arhces + stcutures

- wind comp to make dome

- modern arc bc of labor standrd - brought cheaper woekrs- shows soical control

Florentine architect who was the first great architect of the Italian Renaissance; built first dome over Cathedral of Florence

Known for rational clarity and luminosity for a sacred space

Santa Maria del Fiore

Arnolfo di Cambio, Francesco Talenti, Filippo Brunelleschi, et al. 1296-1446CE

Santa Maria del Fiore

Arnolfo di Cambio, Francesco Talenti, Filippo Brunelleschi, et al. 1296-1446CE

DOME

dome = diff from other renassiacne domes = wide as panethon but double its hight = ended up being octoganl

modularity - visual rep of each system

- no central support system

-domainted entire city

• Double shelled 

• Parallel walls connected grid of horizontal and vertical ribs 

  • Ribs helps absorb lateral thrush 

• Between shells = sustainable for investing tension rings made of oak chains 

• Interlocking masonry = kept dome from interlocking 

• 9 horizontal rings at 10ft intervals to face dome 

• 8 major vertical ribs  = between 2 internal ribs = extra stiffness 

• Cupola = consistone shell = assembled keystone 

• Outer layer = herringbone pattern = pricks ascended in spiral course 

Santa Maria del Fiore

Arnolfo di Cambio, Francesco Talenti, Filippo Brunelleschi, et al. 1296-1446CE

DOME FAILS (3)

1. base = not precise cneter - bc octoganl

- wanted to build wooden supprt system to put up keystone but dome = too big (gothic period method)

- dome masonry = trial +error - lots of trial trhoughout city (gothic period)

Santa Maria del Fiore

Arnolfo di Cambio, Francesco Talenti, Filippo Brunelleschi, et al. 1296-1446CE

DOME SOLUTION

1. double shell design

builder walk bw inner and outer shell

- inner shell = materials = heavier - brickis.stone.iron = herringbone brick system + tension rings

- outer shell - lighter - protecte inner shell can see the main ribs

bw sheels = supports - horionztal connecters + ribs

masonry techniques + ribbed skeleton + 9 horizontal supports coincided between 2 layers

2. build dome without falsework - temporary structural support system

   • Built: structure that supported itself during construction process

     
     

Santa Maria del Fiore

Arnolfo di Cambio, Francesco Talenti, Filippo Brunelleschi, et al. 1296-1446CE

Refernces

• Gothic 

1. Pointed arches - Dome

2. Ribs - Dome 

• Base: Classical 

1. between - 3 apses = Rounded tribunes = absorb outward thrush of dome 

2. Marble cylinders = 5 shell capped niches flanked by pairs of Corinthian half columns = ancient  

Santa Maria del Fiore lantern, Filippo Brunelleschi/Michelozzo, 146

LANTERN

installed after brunelleschis death

classic red = pialster, volutes, cornie

copper sphere = contains holy relics

• Buttresses = classical fluted pilasters? + reverse curve volutes 

San Giovanni (baptistery), Florence, 1059-1150C

Bruneleschi Project Overview (5-6)

1. Dumo

2. Foundling Hospital - orgapange, respected earlier hospital in Florence 

3. Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo - commissioned by Medici Fam 

4. Pazzi Chapel  - family supported Medic → enemy → chapel = chapter house 

5. Church of San Lorenzo

6. REJECT: rebuild = proposed plan for Medici = rejected to grand. 

Foundling Hospital

1. Foundling Hospital - orgapange, respected earlier hospital in Florence 

• Long halls _ courtyards are behind public loggia

• Facade = classical = corinthian columns + pilasters 

• Loggia = above head height (9 step base) = stage like = drama of leaving an orphan 

  • Opposite = another hospital = symmetry in the Piazza Santissima Annunziata = equestrian statue in the middle space

2. Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo

commissioned by Medici Fam - iovanna Medici -invited family status - financing chamber to the side of main alter where clergy stored verses and sacred paraphonies 

• Program = tomb for patron + wife beneath table 

Features 

• Dome = rose = cubic volumes on pensive 

• Dome = hemispherical umbrella - divided by 12 rounded arch ribs 

• Smaller hermitial dome = at altar 

• Classical reference = corinthian pilasters + propylated centaurs fermented altar niche + arch over middle bay = triumphal arch 

• pendentive?

Problem 

• Flaw where pilasters met the corners = single pilaster folded in right angle = half on one wall and half on adjacent wall  =  - Shows lack of maths 

• converger of 2 planes rest on 1 columns = shows cramped and overloaded design

4. Pazzi Chapel 

family supported Medic → enemy → chapel = chapter house 

• Classical reference = proxy = triumphial arch  - 

• Gridded bands paving + contrast of gray perimeter serene columns _ trim against ceremony plaster of walls = accentuated lines of the space = constituted perspective

Problem

• Cornered pilasters = bent = thin strip on the side wall = single culture/shaft on outer volute - Shows lack of maths 

5/ Church of San Lorenzo rebuild

proposed plan for Medic

Church of San Lorenzo - Bruno —> Michelozzo 

Features

• Nave = over the nave = flat coffered ceiling 

• Side aisles = behind arcades = on Corinthian columns 

• Classic reference = corinthian columns + rounded arches sparing from isolated chunks of classical entablature rather than top of capitals 

Pros 

• Better than portico at Foundling hospital: width of base = extended only half their height - complemented a splendid scale of Corinthian columns 

Andrea di Bonaiuto, fresco, 1360s

Prior's Palace/Palazzo Vecchio, Arnolfo di Cambio, Florence, 14th century C

Prior's Palace/Palazzo Vecchio, Arnolfo di Cambio, Florence, 14th century C

- used by 8 execs - officiaals

later mediedi works here

• material + biforium windows = influenced development of Lawrence merchant palace + executive councils lived here 

• Rustical = fortress rough blocks 

• Regular spaced biforium windows 

• Enfiladed = plan organization = series of interconned rooms around a courtyard

  • Break of system seen with private chapel = only given to wealthy families

• Magnifenceza  = improvement of public realm through priority of private places = economy boost + jobs + bench 

what surrounded Palazzo Vecchio

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza - an Italian public square

Urban magistrates cleared a final path of houses to connect rectangular piazza on NOrth to 2nd piazza (SW entry)

1 view of public palace + bell tower surroundeing

Uffizi, Giorgio Vasari/Alfonso Parigi/Bernardo Buontalenti, Florence, 1560-158

Uffizi plan

- start of mannerism peiod

- combime logia +office + church

- 3 bays valuted colondes, pierce hv niche

rhythym = reperitive order on facde

made of local stanstone

Corridoio Vasariano, Giorgio Vasari, Florence, 1564-1565C

Corridoio Vasariano, Giorgio Vasari, Florence, 1564-1565C

- monumental footpath

- not symmertical

uffizi - connect to passageway connect to pallazzo vecchio

- bc not popular guy = limit interacion w commoners

- bc not popular guy = people di dnot accomodate for his corridoio - SE corner - disruption - built around Torre Manelli

entrance = enshrine in window = window triumphial arch = ideolgical stsament = like roman empror - brave + trimuph

PATH

- pnte vechico --> old bridge --> palazo

old bridge

meat smell --> goldsmith

faschist period kept it (unlike veyething else in Italy during this time)

famous for the look

Cosimo I de'Medici (1519-1574)

triumphial arch -

Palazzos

1. Palazzo Vecchio

2. Palazzo Piette

3. Medici Riccardi - designed by Michelozzo, commissioned by Cosimo

4. Palazzo Strozzi - Giuliano da Sangallo 

5. Ruchelli - Alberti 

Palazzo Pitti, Filippo Brunelleschi?/Luca Fancelli?, Florence, 1458-16th century C

Palazzo Pitti, Filippo Brunelleschi?/Luca Fancelli?, Florence, 1458-16th century C

wanted to be larger than Medici - but failed bc medici bought another bigger pgger Palazoo

inspo: palazzo vecchico

center - done by Brunelleshi

Bru - died = another arc took over

similar 2 palazzo vecchio

1. ornamted

2. foyress line

3. tripartide facade

facade - stepped, flat,

classical refernce - tuscan

floors

piano Terria

piano Nobile

Palazzo Medici-Ricardi, Michelozzo Bartolomeo di Michelozzi, Florence, 1440s

Palazzo Medici-Ricardi, Michelozzo Bartolomeo di Michelozzi, Florence, 1440s C

new structure from G up

structure deigned layout for other fam.

Bru = submitted diegn - rejected = 2 grandeur

Medici fam 0 did not want comp = Michelozzo

• material + biforium windows + rustification + bench _ classical cornice + arcaded courtyard = influenced palace type in Milan. Bologna & rival cities = 

2 floors - pianoa terria

piano nobile

Palazzo Medici-Ricardi, Michelozzo Bartolomeo di Michelozzi, Florence, 1440s C

Facade

3 part facade = differnert extture + bifroium windows

rustic = btm

smooth - top

rustifictaion + bifroium window - inspo Palazzo Vecchip

G floor = 3 entrcxnes

- 4th = enreanmc e= public buinsess use

Medici crest = found on all buidlings

bench found all around

• As increased in height = smoother = drafted masonry = illusion of greater height 

• SE corner - few degrees forward = outer wall of square look slight oblique

Palazzo Medici-Ricardi, Michelozzo Bartolomeo di Michelozzi, Florence, 1440s C

plan

- central courtard - cirucaltion 4 rooms *no hallways

stracuse from ocurtaryd - loead to upstairs apartment + gallery + tooms

behind courtyar = gallery = x2 width performces + lectures

Palazzo Medici-Ricardi, Michelozzo Bartolomeo di Michelozzi, Florence, 1440s C

references

• reference Palazzo Vecchio 

1. Overall shape = cubic shape 

2. material = rigged grantor = rustication - ground floor 

• Classical Reference  + Cosimo desires 

1. Ancient Roman domes 

2. Classical details = Corinthian colonetts, biforium windows + classical cornice + brackets + details + egg and dart morid + resemble fragment 

   1. Cornice = canopies covered over street hiding the pitched roofs and the illusion of the volumetric purity of the whole

3. Impluvium cort ( atrum of domus) inspired= square arcaded courtyard 

• Covered more than ½ of the ground floor = displayed medicine collection 

Problem 

Palazzo Medici-Ricardi, Michelozzo Bartolomeo di Michelozzi, Florence, 1440s C

problem

• Also seen in Old Sacristy = convergence of 2 planes rest on 1 columns = shows cramped and overloaded design = later resolved by placing a square prier or doubled the columns in corner 

Palazzo Strozzi - Giuliano da Sangallo

Palazzo Medici-Ricardi, Michelozzo Bartolomeo di Michelozzi, Florence, 1440s C

role model 4

1. symmetry

2. classical elements

3. math proprion

- arc may not be impressive but the ideas were

4. Palazzo Strozzi - Giuliano da Sangallo

• 2nd richest man, bitter rivalry w Medici → reconciled differences = built largest palace → died early → left for Unity to continue building 

• Features

  • 3 stories

  • Rounded cushion if its buganato rustication  = diminished as inc in height

  • Magnifincey = civil duty 

• References 

  • Classical = Cornice doubled = sen in Medici 

  • Palazzo Vecchio =  reustoiftcaion = seen in Medici

Palazzo Rucellai, Leon Battista Alberti, Florence, 1453-1460

Palazzo Rucellai, Leon Battista Alberti, Florence, 1453-1460

facade ref

3 part facade

classical red + isnpo

Alverti deigned = united front and buidlig spare - superimosed facade on existing stcuture - creates unifying envelople (rectange shape) even though actual shaoe is not

Gothic refence: Palazzo vechcio = biforium windwos + rustifictaion

opus reticulatum = roman

coloumfacade coloums - not on ground but on plynth ns

increased in hieght - stones = smlaler lihter

bench wraps all the way around

plynth

used for stucture?

Palazzo Rucellai, Leon Battista Alberti, Florence, 1453-1460

facade order

1st = doric - business

2nd = ionic - gyest

3rd = corithina = apartments

4th = cornice = hidden servents

inlfucned other buidloin in europe with social order

opus reticulatum

A type of Roman wall masonry; square stones set diagonally, forming a net-like pattern

Palazzo della Cancellaria, Donato Bramante, Rome, 1489-1513

Palazzo della Cancellaria, Donato Bramante, Rome, 1489-1513

3 pary facade - enguldfed church

rhytem - 1-2-1-2 pialsters bw windows

isncirption at the top = sayd who it belongs ti

tarvertine + brick = from Pomepii

Donato Bramente

worked in milan

demosiltion of Basillica

betsk known - santa maria fresco

Santa Maria presso San Satiro, Donato Bramante, Milan, 1472-1482C

Santa Maria presso San Satiro, Donato Bramante, Milan, 1472-1482C

recisoion of early 19th centruary church

1st ocffered dome

started by anoterh arch --> left to Bramnet 2 clean up

Plan

- T shaped bc road neaby on the east stopd cross shape

- looks like 4th arm in tere but not

- ILLUSUIONL perspteiv used - looks like caluts that is 3ft deep

- BAQAQUE preminssion

Tempietto (San Pietro in Montorio), Donato Bramante, Rome, 1501 CE?

Tempietto (San Pietro in Montorio), Donato Bramante, Rome, 1501 CE?

cruxiftcaion of Poep Peter - uspide down

o\commsioned by Fernado

square couryard

circle couryar

Plan stcture

- small in size but very preices

- tried to compete w Pantehon through ideas and ornamnetion

- tested diff renaidnaca ideas and cld bc the tscture is amll - not 2 much can go worng

riatain pattern = empahzesc by the coliums and pialsters around crusification spot

tuscan coloymn + triglypt _ freeze + netablasur e= classical ref

humanism

A Renaissance intellectual movement in which thinkers studied classical texts and focused on human potential and achievements

- vitruvius drawinf - claim- man in the cetre

an intellectual movement typified by a revived interest in the classical world and studies which focused not on religion but on what it is to be human." •

"the importance of an education in classical literature and the promotion of civic virtue, that is, realizing a person's full potential both for their own good and for the good of the society in which they live."

important statues

Leochares, "Apollo Belvedere," c. 130-140CE "Apollo Belvedere," late 15th century CE

Leochares, "Apollo Belvedere," c. 130-140CE "Apollo Belvedere," late 15th century CE

contrapposto

- isnpired ren asttcist w natrual poswes recearte in building

- more compaftbel and god like

contrapposto

stance = graceful = human

A style of Greek sculpture where people are depicted standing and leaning so that the person's weight is being put on one side. People are depicted with their bodies curved like an "S"

a graceful arrangement of the body based on tilted shoulders and hips and bent knees

Impotant treatises (3)

Leon Battista Alberti, De re aedificatoria, 1453-1452C

Sebastiano Serlio, Architettura, 1537-1547 CE

Andrea Palladio, I quattro libri dell'architettura, 1570CE

Leon Battista Alberti, De re aedificatoria, 1453-1452C

- study of ancient roman site

- no illustation

- mdoelde after vitruvius

- 1st reniassnace traty

- targetd audnce = edutaced = latin

- no buidling more mag. than church

Sebastiano Serlio, Architettura, 1537-1547 CE

- illustartion

- native langaue - ilatia = 4 commoners

- incldued plan of Tempetiio

Andrea Palladio, I quattro libri dell'architettura, 1570CE

- trained as a mason

- influenced by humastsit poet

- plan section, elvetaion

- symmterical buidling doumetaion seen

Old St. Peter's Basilica, Rome (illustration after a Renaissance manuscript), ca. 320-330C

Donatao bRAMNE

- 6 greek cross plan w aspe

- as walls inc - thcikedn - 2 support dome

- Brambte = plan + supports -- left 4 Micehaneglo

New St Peters