“The Most Exalted and Prodigal Magnificence”
Filippo Brunelleschi and the Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence with Ross King
Author Series Soirée (1/3)
Thursday, January 7th at 5:00 pm Eastern
The octagonal dome that was to crown Santa Maria del Fiore, the cathedral begun in Florence in 1294, presented the most daunting architectural puzzle of the age: how to raise the highest and widest vault ever attempted. The cupola was to have a span greater than the Roman Pantheon - the world’s largest dome - and vaulting higher than any Gothic cathedral. The logistical problems were enormous. How could this enormous octagonal structure be made self-supporting? How could the tons of masonry be raised more than 200 feet in the air and laid into place with micrometric accuracy? This illustrated lecture examines the procedures developed by Filippo Brunelleschi as he worked on the dome between 1420 and 1436, successfully executing what is still the world’s largest masonry dome.
Ross King is the best-selling author of six books on Italian Renaissance art and history, including Brunelleschi’s Dome, Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling, and Leonardo and The Last Supper. In tandem with his writing, Ross is an active fundraiser for the arts and a passionate on-site lecturer.
Virtual Soirée presentation procedure:
Dana and our guide will arrive at the meeting 10 minutes in advance for those of you who would like to say hello and make sure your zoom settings are ready. The presentation will start promptly at the scheduled hour, and Dana will begin the meeting by muting the microphones and introducing our speaker. The talk will be recorded. The lecture will last about 45 minutes and afterward Dana will moderate a Q&A session. If you show up late, no worries, you will be muted upon entry.
After the tour, you will receive a follow-up email with a recording of the event. You will be able to access this recording until March 31st, 2021.
How to Join
Purchase a membership! → Turquoise & Platinum members receive invitations to all winter programming automatically, plus exclusive perks. No need to sign up below!
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Purchase only this tour → Sign up below! Everyone’s first tour is complimentary, simply add this tour to your cart and use the code WINTERESCAPE at checkout. If you have already used the code once, then you can still purchase a ticket to this tour and access to the recording for $35.