Renaissance Architecture in Italy

Question 1

*What is the meaning of the term Renaissance?

Answer 1

[Buildings Across Time, pp. 287-288, lecture.]

Question 2

*Who was Vitruvius, when did he live, and how did his work contribute to the development of Renaissance architecture?

Answer 2

[Buildings Across Time, pp. 287-288; lecture]

Question 3

*What do we know about Brunelleschi’s background and early training?

Answer 3

[Buildings Across Time, p. 288; lecture

Question 4

Cathedral of Florence

Answer 4

Italy
Begun in 1292 by Arnolfo di Cambio, with 14th century belltower (campanile) by Giotto, dome by Brunelleschi completed 1436

Question 5

Why was the Florence cathedral unfinished in the early 15th century?

Answer 5

they didn’t know how to finish the dome

Question 6

(Cathedral of Florence) What were the technical challenges to completing the dome?

Answer 6

so large that traditional centering was impossible

Question 7

*(Cathedral of Florence) What are five innovations Brunelleschi used to complete the dome?

Answer 7

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Question 8

Foundling Hospital

Answer 8

Florence, designed 1419, built 1421-1444

Question 9

(Foundling Hospital) What is the purpose of this building?

Answer 9

orphanage

Question 10

Who paid for the Foundling Hospital and what does this tell us about 15th century society in Florence?

Answer 10

Guild of Silk Masons and ___

Question 11

*Why is the Foundling Hospital known as the ‘first building of the Renaissance?

Answer 11

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Question 12

What do we know about Alberti’s career? How did Alberti’s book, ‘On the art of Building’, contribute to an understanding of the elements and principles of Classical Architecture?

Answer 12

-architectural consultant to Pope Nicholas V

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Question 13

*What sort of information did Palladio include in his ‘Four Books on Architecture’ and why did it become such an influential work?

Answer 13

[Lecture, Buildings Across Time, pp. 317-318.]

Question 14

Medici Palace

Answer 14

Florence, Italy, 1444, Michelozzo Bartolomeo

Question 15

palazzo

Answer 15

palace, townhouse

Question 16

cortile

Answer 16

courtyard

Question 17

*piano nobile

Answer 17

town house?

Question 18

*rustication/rusticated masonry

Answer 18

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Question 19

What was the original purpose of the Medici Palace?

Answer 19

town house

Question 20

(Medici Palace) What is the building used for today?

Answer 20

museum

Question 21

Church of San Andrea

Answer 21

Mantua, Italy, 1472-1494, Leon Battista Alberti

Question 22

(Church of San Andrea) Who commissioned the construction of this church?

Answer 22

Ludovico Gonzaga

Question 23

*(Church of San Andrea) What are some of the specific ancient Roman buildings that provided Alberti with inspiration for this design?

Answer 23

-Basilica of Constantine

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Question 24

Palazzo Chiericati

Answer 24

Vicenza, Italy, 1550-52, Andrea Palladio

Question 25

Who commissioned Palladio to build the Palazzo Chiericati?

Answer 25

Count Chiericati

Question 26

*(Palazzo Chiericati) What are some of the characteristics of this building that define the ‘Palladian facade’?

Answer 26

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