Filippo Brunelleschi and the birth of Renaissance Architecture

Filippo Brunelleschi (Born 1377, Florence, Italy- died April 15, 1446, Florence, Italy) Florentine architect that trained as a sculptor and goldsmith.  How did Brunelleschi become interested in architecture? In 1403, he tied with Lorenzo Ghiberti in the competition for the Santa Maria del Fiore baptistery bronze doors in Florence.  While working on the competition he developed the principles of linear perspective and revolutionized the fields of painting and architecture forever.  The discovery had a staggering impact on artistic perception and representation. By the early 1420’s Brunelleschi rose to become the predominant architect of Florence.  His cardinal achievement was winning the competition for and executing the design of Santa Maria del Fiore’s immense dome.  The dome’s 44 meter (144 foot) span surpassed what was the largest span ever constructed; the Pantheon in Rome completed in 126 A.D. with its 43.3 meter (142 ft.) span.