Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
RENAISSANCE (15TH
AND 16TH CENTURIES)
Brunelleschi, the father of
Renaissance architecture, was
inspired by the purity and
simplicity of Classical Roman
buildings. This style is reflected
in his first true Renaissance
work, the loggia of the
Spedale degli Innocenti in
Florence (1419-24)
(see p95)
,
with its elegant lines and
simple arched bays. The style
he created was adopted with
enthusiasm by his fellow
Florentines, who saw their
city as the “new” Rome.
Arch with tear-drop keystone
Courtyard, Spedale degli
Innocenti
String courses
define each floor.
Classical cornices
are
moulded in Roman style.
Wedge-shaped
masonry
around semi-circular window
arches is characteristic of
Renaissance buildings.
Palazzo Strozzi
(see p105)
is typical
of many Tuscan
Renaissance buildings.
The rusticated stonework
gives an impression of
strength and stability.
BAROQUE (LATE-16TH
AND 17TH CENTURIES)
The theatrical Baroque style,
much favoured by the popes
in Rome, largely passed
Tuscany by. Although a
few churches in Florence
were given new façades
in the 17th century, the
Florentine version of the
Baroque style is very
Classical in spirit and not
as bold or as exuberant
as elsewhere in Italy.
Baroque architects
liked to use intricate
mouldings.
Curved pediments
are typical of the
Baroque style.
Scroll
Swag
Cartouche with
swags and scrolls
Window surrounds
are highly
ornamented.
Santo Stefano dei
Cavalieri
(see p156)
has columns and
pilasters on its Baroque
façade, which give the
illusion of depth.
Deliberate interplay
of curvaceous forms
and straight lines
features in Baroque
architecture.
