Evidence of important work: The most significant work of Filippo Brunelleschi is by creating the dome on top of the Cathedral of Florence (1420-36), which was built using the special machines that Brunelleschi invented specially for the major project.  

Evidence of another piece of work: Brunelleschi also designed two churches in Florence including the church of San Lorenzo and the church of Santo Spirito. He built these churches with symmetry and perspective.  Many other artists would use this same design in other buildings. 

Other pieces of work: He invented linear perspective for his domes and artists adapted it into their artwork. During the Middle Ages art did not have any depth or realistic looking features, especially in backgrounds. Brunelleschi gave artists this new style and made art much more realistic looking, giving perspective and depth to Renaissance art.

Legacy: Filippo Brunelleschi left behind a monumental legacy, of which few men have accomplished. He was the first problem solver using unorthodox methods and the first modern engineer of the Renaissance. He solved one of the greatest architectural puzzles in the world and he has received his deserved recognition.

Perspective 2: Antonio Manetti, who was Brunelleschi’s first biographer who actually knew him,, describes him as “amiable, never known to boast, and never angry except when provoked by the most insulting or disrespectful acts.” He also says that Brunelleschi was known to have had a “wicked sense of humour”.

Perspective 3: Filippo Brunelleschi, known for being ugly, built the truly magnificent and beautiful dome of Santa Maria Del Fiore in Florence during the fifteenth century.  His unpleasant appearance, however, helped him to fit in amongst the other great artists of the Renaissance. 

Perspective 4: Brunelleschi was known as a madman because he kept on challenging other sculptors for no reason and if he failed to win he would be embarrassed. He was very impatient when it came to building.

The copper sphere and cross on top of the lantern is depicted at the very top of the visual. The sphere and cross contained holy relics and was installed onto the dome in 1466.

The dome on top of the Florence Cathedral uses Brunelleschi’s own invention of linear perspective. The dome used special perspectives in order for it to be able to be built efficiently and stand upright on the Florence Cathedral. Brunelleschi made art much more realistic looking, giving perspective to Renaissance art.

Renaissance and Reformation Primary Sources - Peggy Saari and Aaron Saari, U.X.L Publishing; 2002 - This book was useful because it provided historical significance on Brunelleschi.

Great ideas of the Renaissance - Trudee Romanek, CRABTREE Publishing; 2010 - This book was useful because it provided historical significance on Brunelleschi.

http://www.pbs.org/empires/medici/renaissance/brunelleschi.html - This website was useful because it provided information on Brunelleschi’s legacy/significance.

https://muse.union.edu/entrepreneurship/archives/392 - This website was useful because it provided information on secondary perspectives about Brunelleschi.

http://galileo.rice.edu/lib/student_work/florence96/jyoti/brun.html  -  This website was useful because it provided information on patronage about Brunelleschi.

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/f/filippo_brunelleschi.html - This website was useful because it provided primary sources of Brunelleschi’s quotes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H9f2mmehZc  - This video was useful because it provided information on historical significance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IOPlGPQPuM - This video was useful because it provided information about how the Duomo was built.

After building the dome, under the patronage of the Medici, Brunelleschi designed the Sacristy and the Basilica of San Lorenzo. Brunelleschi’s work combined antique and modern design in his work and the Basilica was a significant example of this style.