Definition Essay: Florence Florentine Dream

513 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Aesthetic art

Florence

Florence – Florentine Dream
Florence is a tiny little gem, a dream, a mirage maybe, that lures travelers time and again to its mesmeric, romantic and busy shores. Nestled along the Arno River, the bricks of Florence glow under the warmth of a thousand Tuscan summers. This city, though small in size, features on many bucket lists as the birth place of the Renaissance, as a repository of world-class art, and as capital of fashion with greats such as Gucci and Cavalli having been born here. Lose yourself in its narrow winding streets that seem like they lead backwards in time. Or stand ashore the River Arno to watch its moods change with the changing of the sun in its azure skies. Follow a trail of its best food and drink that is renowned …show more content…

Its skyline, dominated by the dome of the Florence Cathedral, is half of what this beautiful building inspires. The Brunelleschi-designed dome remains the largest brick-and-mortar dome in the world 600 years after it was built. The towering Campanile (or bell tower), partly designed by Giotto, the beautiful frescoes, stained-glass windows and spectacular pink, white and green marble façade are unforgettable sights.
Visit the Palazzo Vecchio and the Palazzo Pitti to catch a glimpse of the opulence that was the life of the ancient ruling family, the Medicis. Gaze at priceless treasures like Michelangelo’s David, a roomful of Botticelli masterpieces and the cream of the Renaissance paintings by masters such as Rubens, Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian. Marvel at the sheer beauty of the Fountain of Neptune that took more than a decade to build. You will be hard pressed to find the time, what with the legendary Uffizi Gallery competing with the likes of the Galleria dell' Accademia di Firenze, Museo di San Marco, Museo Del Bargello, and Museo Novecento, among many others. The house of Salvatore Ferragamo has a museum here, along with a top-end hotel that must be

Show More
Related

  • Brunelleschi's Dome Summary

    1075 Words  | 3 Pages

    Brunelleschi 's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture, written by Ross King, describes the history of the city of Florence and life at the end of the Middle Ages through the genius of Filippo Brunelleschi. The book begins by giving information about the historic competition that led to the impressive dome that sits atop Santa Maria del Fiore. It then gives an account of the history of Florence in the late 1300s and early 1400s and the building of the cathedral and the initial competition for the dome 's design. After providing information about Florence and the cathedral, Ross King gives background information about Filippo Brunelleschi, his experiences as an artist and scientist in both Florence and Rome, and insight into

    Read More

  • Brunelleschi and The Romans: A Comparison of Technique

    1055 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...d new thinking, and Brunelleschi was no exception. After many years studying in Rome, he combined ancient Roman architecture with his own flare to create a signature style. His works inspired architecture for many years to come. One of the most influential and recognizable buildings is Brunelleschi’s Pazzi Chapel. This particular structure borrowed on many aspects of Roman architecture including geometry, light, arches, and columns.

    Read More

  • Panegyric to the City of Florence

    1420 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is abundantly clear how Leonardo Bruni feels about the city of Florence. In Panegyric to the City of Florence, he expresses nothing but the highest praise for the city. Every aspect of Florence is backed by a clear reason why it is the best, and there is no other city in the world that can compare. According to Bruni, Florence has extraordinary beauty, architecture, geography, history, government, and people. This, of course, is only one person’s opinion. In the diaries of Buonaccorso Pitti and Gregorio Dati, they too give their opinions on the city of Florence. In general, they do not seem to give Florence the same recognition and praise that Bruni gives.

    Read More

  • Duccio’s Maestà

    1444 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the early Renaissance era Florence and Siena were rivals in many aspects. The Battle of Montaperti was fought between the two in September of 1260. After their triumph over Florence, Siena used the monetary winnings for the building of the Palazzo Pubblico to serve the city in governmental, spiritual and social needs; it was comparable to the basilicas in ancient Rome in this aspect. The Palazzo Pubblico (fig. 1) was also made to compete with Florence’s already constructed Palazzo della Signoria1 (fig. 2). The city also focused the new funds on the elaboration of the cathedral interior (fig. 3). In 1308, Duccio di Buoninsegna was hired for this reason. Duccio completed the requested polyptych, or multipaneled, altarpiece three years later before the townspeople paraded the Maestà from the artist’s workshop through the town and to the cathedral, its resting point for many years.

    Read More

  • Brunelleschi's Chapel

    1269 Words  | 3 Pages

    The "Pazzi Chapel" - "Pa The Museum of Florence. Web. The Web. The Web. 05 Feb. 2012.

    Read More

  • florence cathedral

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the Florence Cathedral, Florence, Italy, there is a cathedral church whose octagonal dome, built without the aid of scaffolding, was considered the greatest engineering feat of the early Renaissance. Dedicated to Santa Maria del Fiore, Our Lady of the Flower, it is also known as the Duomo, after the Italian word for cathedral. Created by many great Early Modern artists, this piece of architecture is a perfect example the Renaissance style. We can come to a better understanding of why this is so by exploring what the characteristics of the Renaissance “style”. To understand the properties of the Florence Cathedral that fit the Early Modern style, I will begin with a description and its history. The cathedral's architectural style, although greatly influenced by French Gothic elements remained distinctively Florentine, especially the geometric patterns of red, green, and white marble on the building's exterior. Construction of the cathedral began in 1294 on the site of a Christian church founded in the 6th or 7th century and continued until 1436. Several celebrated Italian architects were involved in the project, including Giotto, Arnolfo di Cambio, Andrea Orcagna, and, most notably, Filippo Brunelleschi, who was responsible for designing and building the dome. The cathedral's exterior is ornamented with sculpture and mosaics by Italian artists Donatello, Nanni di Banco, and Domenico Ghirlandaio, among others. The building's stained-glass windows are the work of the Italian architect and artist Lorenzo Ghiberti, and the interior is decorated with sculpture and fresco paintings by several Renaissance masters. Construction of the campanile (bell tower), situated to the right of the entrance to the Duomo, was begun by Giotto and completed according to his plans in 1359, after his death. Nearly 278 ft high, the campanile is embellished with red, green, and white marble panels of relief sculpture by Italian artists Andrea Pisano and Luca della Robbia, and niches with sculpted figures by Donatello and other masters. Facing the cathedral and campanile is a smaller, octagonal structure, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, noted for its gilt-bronze doors, elaborately worked in high relief by Andrea Pisano and Lorenzo Ghiberti. With that background information about the cathedral, one question comes to mind: what is it that makes the Renaissance style distinct? Renaissa...

    Read More

  • The Life of Filippo Brunelleschi and his Contributions in the Field of Architecture

    959 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Florence, Italy a cathedral stands over the grave of its architect, Filippo Brunelleschi. The Cathedral of Florence that now serves as his monument was one of his largest architectural developments. Little is known about Filippo’s childhood because he was not very famous; however, later in life he made huge accomplishments in the field of architecture. Filippo Brunelleschi’s structures were considered glorious at the time and are still standing today.

    Read More

  • Renaissance Art

    1822 Words  | 4 Pages

    Italian Renaissance Art and Architecture: History Through Art and Architecture. Boulder, Colo.: The Press, 1985. 20-67.

    Read More

  • St Peter's Basilica Analysis

    1030 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Façade, designed by the architect Carlo Maderno, “Is 114.69 metres wide and 48 metres high, and has an order of Corinthian columns and pilasters, over which lies an imposing cornice with a central tympanum, crowned by a balustrade with thirteen statues (nearly 6 metres high).” There can be found an inscription on the entablature stating that the Façade was built under Pope Paul V Borghese. In the lower order there are five entrances to the atrium, over which are nine windows, three of which possessing a balcony. The main window, the “Benediction Loggia”, where the Pope gives his blessing upon his election, and at Christmas and Easter. When Maderno added the nave, which is the main body of the church,

    Read More

  • Renaissance Venice

    763 Words  | 2 Pages

    Venice Italy is best known today for its culture and romantic canals. With the exotic way the city was construction and the backdrop of the ever-changing light caused by the waters of the canals, it has been romantically portrayed in many paintings, plays, movies, songs and operas. The once city state was a major trading empire. Located on the north end of the Adriatic Sea it was ideal for merchant shipping. Specializing in trade with the Byzantine Empire and the eastern world, Venice established a stable and prosperous economy. This naturally created and attracted a wealthy population. With this wealth people could afford many luxuries like art creating a thriving artists population. The style of Venetian art spanning two centuries during the renaissance was directly affected by the trade industry.

    Read More

  • Baroque Vs Italian Baroque Art

    1519 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Italian Architects of the seventeenth century faced a huge volume of orders to carry out. The most required orders were churches. (Bazin 15) When Urban VIII became pope he asked Bernini to design a baldachino, also known as a canopy, to define the altar area. Bernini built something that was half sculpture and half architecture that had four columns that were very detailed. The columns were designed with spiraling grooves and vines made of bronze. The spiraling and decorative effects were made to symbolize the union of the new and Old Testaments, the vine of the Eucharist climbing the columns of the temple of Solomon. The Eucharist was the Christian ceremony commemorating the Last Supper. The elements of the Ionic and Corinthian orders are at the top of the columns. Angels are along the entablatu...

    Read More

  • Florence's Market in the Renaissance

    2377 Words  | 5 Pages

    Florence was the trend-setter of the Renaissance, whatever they did everyone else wanted to do because Florence was very successful. “No great city has ever been built far from the water… [Florence] was now more vulnerable, but it had easy access to an important trade route. It had good communications by river to the west, and practicable passes through the mountains ...

    Read More

  • The Intentions of Baroque Architecture

    1358 Words  | 3 Pages

    The style of Baroque architecture is say to be overwhelm, in other word, heavy and powerful. In order to bring out the sense of solemn, holiness, it is presented in the form of massiveness and movement. The St. Peter’s Basilica, completed in 1626, designed by Donato Brama...

    Read More

  • Early Renaissance Art

    926 Words  | 2 Pages

    Early Renaissance art had its birth of creativity and development in Florence, Italy, which eventually spread to Western Europe. Italy contained the status of being the richest trading nation with both Europe and the Orient, Italy was fortunate to be left with a huge repository of classical ruins and artifacts. In almost every town and city, examples of Roman architecture and sculpture, including copies of sculptures from Ancient Greece, have been familiar for centuries. The decline of Constantinople and the capital of the Byzantine Empire caused many Greek scholars to go to Italy, bringing knowledge of classical civilization.... ...

    Read More

  • How Has The Renaissance Period Affected History

    728 Words  | 2 Pages

    The architecture from the Renaissance has greatly changed and influenced our appreciation for great and new

    Read More

More about Definition Essay: Florence Florentine Dream

Open Document