Architecture of renaissance and baroque - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages The Santa Maria Novella is the greatest basilica in Florence. Though originally built by Friars in Florence, Alberti was commissioned to design its façade. He contribute a broad frieze decorated with squares, four pilasters that were white-green in color and a round window, on it a pediment of the Dominican solar emblem. He added S-curved volutes on both sides and four columns with Corinthian capitals. The pediment and the frieze were inspired by the antiquity. However, the S-curved scrolls adorning the upper part had no precedent and have inspired similar ones in churches all over Italy. His touch obviously added to the glamorous beauty of the church’s façade that has attracted worshipers and tourists alike over the years. Bramante’s Tempietto (Fig. 2) was designed with an emphasis on harmonizing of proportions and the simplicity of volumes (Norberg-Schulz, 89). Shapes such as cylinders and hemispheres were combined to great effect to create the grand circular shape that represents the divine order and completeness. The church pays great tribute to both antique techniques and Christian values. Bramantes plan represented illusionist painting and architecture that he had perfected in his lifetime. It was inspired by the shapes of temples. However, it was more a work of art than a utility building. Only 15 feet in diameter, it could not contain a congregation and was the subject of admiration from without and within. To him it represented the purity of the martyrdom of St Peter. ...Download file to see next pagesRead More