Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

3.82 of 5 stars 3.82 · rating details · 6,645 ratings · 370 reviews

An Independent Bestseller By all accounts, Filippo Brunelleschi, goldsmith and clockmaker, was an unkempt, cantankerous, and suspicious man-even by the generous standards according to which artists were judged in fifteenth-century Florence. He also designed and erected a dome over the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore-a feat of architectural daring that we continue to mar...more

Paperback, 167 pages

Published November 1st 2001 by Penguin Books (first published January 1st 2000)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Microhistories -- Sweeping Social Histories Of Just One Thing

25th out of 565 books — 840 voters

The House of Medici by Christopher Hibbert

The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir

Best Books on the Renaissance

2nd out of 144 books — 39 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Dec 23, 2010 Monica rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Monica by: Francesca

Shelves: history

(Nov '08)-Have to put this aside, have to cram on South America...Dec. '10-- Brunelleschi’s Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture, by Ross King, was scholarly, yet had a lighter touch than most art history dissertations. It was even a best seller. Extremely well researched, it details the competition and execution of the building of the dome of the cathedral in Florence, an architectural and artistic accomplishment few understand. The scope King gives us, although at times heavi...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jul 23, 2012 Jason Golomb rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ancient-rome, history, renaissance, non-fiction, rome, florence

I'm no engineer and I only vaguely understand the basic tenets of architecture. But I'm a great admirer of history and have tremendous appreciation for the significance of milestone art and architecture. So in advance of an upcoming trip to Florence, I picked up Ross King's "Brunelleschi's Dome", assuming that King would do as good a job with this seminal Renaissance creation as he did with Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel in "Michelangelo & The Pope's Ceiling". The book is thorough and enjoyab...more I'm no engineer and I only vaguely understand the basic tenets of architecture. But I'm a great admirer of history and have tremendous appreciation for the significance of milestone art and architecture. So in advance of an upcoming trip to Florence, I picked up Ross King's "Brunelleschi's Dome", assuming that King would do as good a job with this seminal Renaissance creation as he did with Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel in "Michelangelo & The Pope's Ceiling". The book is thorough and enjoyable and scores its highest marks on fleshing out the personality of Filippo Brunelleschi and connecting the building's construction to the greater context of the burgeoning Renaissance.

The Dome, of course, refers the famed Santa Maria del Fiore in the heart of Florence, Italy. The book is fascinating in it's detail of the monumental effort that went into creating such an enormous structure. Filippo Brunelleschi was a goldsmith and clockmaker, and by the time he was given the commission to build the Dome, he'd had very little experience in large-scale construction (and this was one of the most large-scale ever conceived at the time).

Work on the dome began after Brunelleschi won one of the ubiquitous Florentine architectural/design contests, and 50 years after construction on the rest of the church began. King writes, "even the original planners of the dome had been unable to advise how their project might be completed: they merely expressed a touching father that at some point in the future God might provide a solution, and architects with a more advanced knowledge would be found."

The core problem Brunelleschi faced was the sheer scope of what the leaders of Florence were asking for. Specifically, King writes, "An architect must design a structure that will counteract (push and pull) pressures...a game of action and reaction-- and channeling them safely to the ground." This had been traditionally handled through the use of flying buttresses, which can be seen throughout gothic architecture in Europe, but the Florentine leaders had previously accepted a design with no external buttresses.

After losing the "da uomo a uomo" battle of the bronze doors to Lorenzo Ghiberti, the intense Brunelleschi spent a few years traveling, including significant time in Rome. It's documented that he extensively explored the ancient Roman ruins, none of which would have been in the clean and, sometimes, rebuilt state that they are today. He undoubtedly visited the one monument, which is in, in fact, a comparable state to when it was originally built almost two thousand years ago: the Pantheon. The largest dome in the world clearly was built to handle the 'push and pull' pressures and Brunelleschi was sure to translate his learnings into his efforts back home in Florence.

I had some trouble conceptualizing some of the more nuanced engineering hurdles that Brunelleschi overcame. King incorporates drawings and images and writes very plainly, but I think my architectural and construction vocabulary is simply too small.

Throughout the long and protracted construction of the Duomo, Brunelleschi battled against supply issues, war-related interference (he was also Florence's Military Engineer), logistical concerns, as well as internecine battles from within the Florentine artistic and engineering community. In creating numerous novel mechanisms to aid in his construction, Brunelleschi clearly gained the trust and financial assurances from the Florentine leaders and was able to knock down just about every obstacle thrown his way.

This read was a worthwhile investment ahead of my trip to Florence. At only 150 pages, this is the perfect introduction to a surprisingly complex set of problems faced at the forefront of the European Renaissance. While a terrific primer on the specifics of the Duomo, the books' even greater value is it's explorations, however shallow, into the culture and context of the time in which it was built.
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 09, 2010 Amie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a fascinating book about the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. It talks about Filippo Brunelleschi, and his absolute genius in constructing a dome that spans 140 feet, without any sort of supporting framework. He solved each problem as it arose, and even invented a lot of the machinery and equipment he needed.

It is amazing to me that a good portion of the duomo had been built before there was even a call for plans to construct the dome. Still more amazing that Brunelleschi's a...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 03, 2007 Teresa rated it 3 of 5 stars

I found the first half of the book much more interesting than the second half: the innovation in the architecture of the dome held much more narrative interest in than the chapters on the various machines invented in order to construct the thing. Although it has been several years since I read the book, I do also recall being vaguely disappointed with the ending: The Dome Goes Up! Still, an incredibly interesting portrait of the convergence of many sciences in this beautiful masterpiece.

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 11, 2012 James rated it 3 of 5 stars

In times past, this would have been a sober little handbook with about half the text and a lot more photos and diagrams, and it would have been a very good little handbook, too; King's grasp of the architectural mechanics, his interest in the cranes that Brunelleschi conceived to realise his feats of imagination, all this is excellent and, having been in Florence since reading it, I can attest its value as a guide for the visitor.

The problem is the obligatory soap opera material that gets clagge...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 17, 2011 Immen added it

This book combines all pop science's dread of technical detail with pop history's rapacity for gossip and speculation. It's kind of a haphazard book, basically a chronological collection of strange anecdotes with an alarming tendency to allude to the fact that no one knows what they're talking about because this all happened at the turn of the 14th century and we can't actually see the innards of the dome and observe how it is keeping itself up. That being said, "weirdly random collection of inf...more

like · see review

Mar 22, 2011 Lucy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Gee, when I was younger, I thought I wanted to be an architect. I didn't pursue it because I knew I was terrible at math. What I didn't take into account was my complete lack of physics knowledge. After reading this book, I know I made the right decision.
There is A LOT of description of pulleys, machines, construction, etc.. I didn't understand most of it. I felt like an idiot. I was determined to persevere and finish slogging through this book. I did it, but not without falling asleep MANY time...more

3 likes · like · see review

Aug 20, 2011 Kristine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, history

Here is a well-done non-fiction book about Florence, Italy, in the early 1400s that introduces readers to an amazing Renaissance man called Filippo Brunelleschi who spent nearly thirty years of his life finding a way to build what is today still the world's largest dome.

This is a book that might appeal to those with special interests in architecture, architectural history, structural engineering, and Renaissance life and history in addition to those who have already visited Florence or who int...more

like · see review

May 02, 2010 Tiffany rated it 3 of 5 stars

A truly fascinating account of the daring construction of the dome of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. Remaining to this day a marvel of architectural achievement, built without central support and in a size surpassing any other brick and mortar dome construction ever accomplished, in many ways it shouldn't have been possible. The genius of Brunelleschi in not only designing and overseeing the construction of the dome, but also constructing many new machines to aid in the cons...more

like · see review

Jul 12, 2007 Namrirru rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: art, history, medieval-renaissance

This book is well and clearly written. I was really caught up in the drama and intrigue, rooting for poor Filippo. But then I finished and reflected... Considering that this project took over a quarter of a century, a few major setbacks should have been expected. And jealosy and backstabbing come with any trade that has a lot of prestige and money involved. Filippo really didn't have it so bad, the author just makes a good drama out of it.

1 like · like · see review

Feb 19, 2013 Rachel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: art-and-film, history, nonfiction

I am reading the paperback version of this book with 192 pages. I have tried reading this book several times before, but the denseness of the text (especially material dealing with math and engineering) made it impossible. Thankfully, I have a lot of free time with my job and was able to finally finish it.

It is not a light read, but a rather detailed look at one of the most architecturally gifted genius, Filippo Brunelleschi, who started out as a clockmaker and goldsmith. He created the largest...more

like · see review

Dec 12, 2012 Sara rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm not an engineer, but I do love architecture, and I found this story of the conception and building of Florence's cathedral to be consistently interesting. Yes, there's a lot of detail, and much of it was hard to understand (skimming allowed), but the general outlines of the story are clear and made me look more closely at the photos I took early this year of the cathedral. Brunelleschi was truly a genius of invention, with chutzpah and guile to match his genius -- a good thing, since he had...more I'm not an engineer, but I do love architecture, and I found this story of the conception and building of Florence's cathedral to be consistently interesting. Yes, there's a lot of detail, and much of it was hard to understand (skimming allowed), but the general outlines of the story are clear and made me look more closely at the photos I took early this year of the cathedral. Brunelleschi was truly a genius of invention, with chutzpah and guile to match his genius -- a good thing, since he had lots of rivals who attempted to steal his plans and use them to best him in Florentine competitions for who was to build each PART of this building. Lucky for us that Brunelleschi was chosen and the Duomo still stands.

Building a dome of this size without wooden centering was unheard of at the time. New hoists and cranes had to be created to fulfill the demands of the task!

Just for comparison's sake:
The Pantheon, built 118-128 - 142-foot span, 143-foot height - but wooden framing was used, and as the dome rose, the weight and thickness was decreased.
Santa Sophia - 107/109-foot span, 182-foot height (the current dome, rebuilt 562 after an earthquake destroyed the first dome, again in 999 and 1354 after similar earthquakes)

Duomo - Santa Maria del Fiore
1366 - foundations had been laid for a dome with 119-foot span
1367 - decision made for a wider dome, 143.5 foot diameter, with vaulting for the cupola to begin at height of 170 feet.

Cathedral of St. Pierre at Beauvais was the highest Gothic vault ever constructed - 126 feet, rising to height of 157 feet - finished in 1274, collapsed in 1284!

Brunelleschi was not a good money-manager, unlike his main rival Ghiberti, who did quite well with his bronze Baptistery doors and other such projects but never stopped competing with Brunelleschi for jobs for which he was unqualified. Brunelleschi died at age 69, still living in his simple childhood home, and was buried under the cathedral floor, where there is a simple marble slab to mark his grave. Architecture was regarded as a lowly art, unfit for educated men, in both ancient and medieval times - on a level with farming, tailoring and metalworking. Brunelleschi helped raise it to the status of a noble and liberal art.

King ends the book with a grand description of what it is like to ascend the dome, using the passageways created for the workers to use, from which you can see many of the construction elements described here. I'm going to walk up those 463 steps one day.

(less)

like · see review

Dec 12, 2011 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read this book for a book group I am in. This is my review to them.

I now have an urge to visit Florence! Despite my initial thoughts about reading it, and disappointment that it wasn't another "Pillars of the Earth" I have enjoyed learning about this dome and about the building methods used. Even learning some history along the way (history was never my subject).
Like others, I am amazed that this building (and of course we're surrounded by old buildings) is still standing 5 centuries later, wh...more

like · see review

Jan 25, 2011 David rated it 3 of 5 stars

In Brunelleschi’s Dome Ross King describes the often troubled career and life of Filippo Brunelleschi, the mastermind and genius behind the construction of the great Doma in Florence. This dome is still the largest masonry dome constructed even today, with a diameter of 140 feet (the Capital building dome is only 95 feet). His ingenuous construction methods eliminated the center timber supports that most arches and domes used up to that point in time. With interlocking bricks, sandstone circumfe...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 05, 2012 Mark rated it 4 of 5 stars

I bought this to read before and during a recent trip to Florence. King's writing on a potentially dull subject is entertaining and illuminating. His account of what Florence was like at the turn of the 15th century and for the next 100 years is fascinating and brings that era to life. If you're into architecture or statics you'll eat up the mechanical descriptions of Brunelleschi's work. Not falling into that camp I reluctantly admit there was some I didn't understand, despite re-reading some p...more

like · see review

Jan 12, 2012 Ted rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fine-arts-music, history-italy

I read this book about a year before six of us traveled to Italy. A fantastic book from engineering, history of the Renaissance, and history of architecture viewpoints. Having read the book, I knew er had to visit Florence and climb up to the top of the il Duomo. I spent many weeks before we left walking up and down two flights of stairs in our house to prepare myself. It was a wonderful experience, a great view from up there (the Duomo that is, not the top of my stairs).

If you ever visit Italy,...more

like · see review

Feb 28, 2011 mahatma rated it 5 of 5 stars

cerita mengenai kejeniusan brunelleschi ini pasti dilandasi riset yang baik: teliti, lengkap dan akurat.
sebagai buahnya, dapat disajikan hubungan antara proses pembangunan kubah gereja ini dengan lingkungan atau situasi sosial florence di masanya.
narasinya hidup.
hubungan produksi arsitektur yang teknis itu dengan baik dijelaskan dengan situasi kekayaan kota perdagangan tadi, dijelaskan pula mengenai adanya budak-budak muslim dari turki dan berbagai tempat sekitar laut tengah, yang dikatakan juga...more

like · see review

Mar 27, 2013 Eli rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is an informative but not necessarily well written book. History books often have the problem of being too dense for their own good: page after page of dates and facts can quickly become tiresome if not supported by a strong narrative. King is an able storyteller, but not an exceptional one. The historical background of the story, the political intrigue and personal rivalries that surrounded the construction of the dome are there, but they don't create the dramatic tension that the best wri...more

like · see review

Dec 04, 2010 Steve rated it 3 of 5 stars

After watching a PBS show on Gothic architecture I picked this long forgotten book off of my shelves and went to it. Different style of design, but same general area of interest. Ross King has nicely taken a lot of literature geared more towards the academic or professional sphere and put it in an easy to read form for the general reader. Short book, I really did miss more illustrations - often it was hard to visualize some of the building techniques he was describing. And no images of the finis...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 16, 2012 Sandra rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Dale

Recommended to Sandra by: Lew

Shelves: history

In addition to learning about dome building, (which I really hadn't considered the difficulties of previously,) the first several chapters continued to enlighten me on what it was like to live in the 14th and 15th centuries. The plague was a constant population thinner. You worked, if you were lucky, 14-16 hours a day, 6 days a week. No benefits. they did bury you for free if you fell to your death. Sorry for digressing, back to the focus of the booki..........The question still seems to be unan...more

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 09, 2010 Robin rated it 3 of 5 stars

At first I thought this book was too full of engineering terms and equipment and measurements, but the author needed to impart this part of the story. I finished this in 24 hours, I had to re-read parts to gain a better understanding. It is a cut and dried approach, but it brought home the fact that this amazing man did great and outstanding work. He was ahead of his time as far as developing equipment to hoist marble and bricks up to the cupola of the dome. He started out as a goldsmith and lat...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 19, 2010 Shannon Vincent Nelson rated it 4 of 5 stars

I picked this book up in anticipation of a trip to Florence, and after reading it, my excitement to visit Brunelleschi's famed dome increased quite a bit.

Although filled with an abundance of architectural, engineering, and mathematical information (that was, quite honestly, a bit over my head), Ross King manages to write a book that truly conveys the sheer magnitude of the innovation and creativity involved in creating the Duomo of Florence. In addition to describing the specifics, he paints an...more

like · see review

Nov 09, 2011 Ralph rated it 4 of 5 stars

The book centers on the construction of the "Duomo" - Santa Maria del Fiore and its engineering genius Filippo Brunelleschi. The architectural challenges and solutions, the politics and the competition surrounding the construction of this marvel makes for a good read. However, the best thing about this book, by far, is that it captures the spirit, creativeness, and problem-solving capability of the people of the Renaissance. "Pippo" Brunelleschi not only changed construction engineering forever,...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 04, 2013 Grady McCallie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Brunelleschi's Dome offers a short, engaging architectural history of the building of the great dome over the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, from 1418 on. The primary architect and overseer of the dome's construction, Fillipo Brunelleschi, figures prominently. The writing is excellent. The author wisely does not try to use the story as an armature on which to which great tangents of historical discussion - he keeps the focus tightly on the story of the dome and its architects. Non...more

like · see review

Dec 03, 2011 P_campbe rated it 5 of 5 stars

My first non-fiction book in some time and I can't wait to ready Ross King's Pope's Ceiling next. Ross King writes very fluid like he is talking in conversation with you about this amazing feat and brilliant piece of architecture. I appreciate his excitement and eagerness to share Fillipo's life and the life of the Santa Maria dome (of which I have spent time in and love as well). A must read for anyone who is interested in architecture or how things work. I also want to thank Ross King for his...more

like · see review

Feb 22, 2012 Florence Millo rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the story of the building of the dome on Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy over a period of 28 years by Filippo Brunelleschi.

In August, 1418 a competition was held to determine who would design and construct the dome on the cathedral which had been under construction for over a century. The dome was considered by many to be impossible because it would span 143 feet. It is still the largest dome in the world. The winner of that competition was the goldsmith and clockmaker, Filippo...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 27, 2010 Stephanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

The book gave an interesting perspective on the construction of the Duomo in Florence. What I found especially interesting was that Brunelleschi was really quite a visionary mechanical engineer. In addition to finding a way to construct the enormous dome, he also invented the machines to transport tons of materials up a couple of hundred feet to the workmen, as well as other machines for the precise placement of large blocks. After Brunelleschi's death, these machines were still in place and wer...more

like · see review

Jan 30, 2013 Lydia Taylor rated it 5 of 5 stars

Having just read a very technical architectural and structural engineering book (as I am an architect) on the cupola and current challenges to keep it from collapsing, I was looking forward to book that explained the personalities and politics behind the design, which did seem to come out of nowhere and start a new era of architecture. I was not disappointed. This book was an excellent account and blended the technical feat of the design very neatly into the political and social context. It also...more

like · see review

Jul 25, 2011 Mike rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: history, biography

A wonderful tale of how Florence became the pre-eminent city of the western world and dragged Europe out of the Dark Ages. Brunelleschi, an arrogant and easily dislikeable architect and artist, seeks to complete one of the greatest structures man had ever created - the Santa Maria del Fiore - which had lain roofless for decades awaiting just such a man. The politics, intrigue and personal rivalry between those who sought fame and riches by completing the project are magnificently woven together...more

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 26, 2012 Tim C rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: history, biography

This is an excellent and highly readable slim volume on the story behind the building of the dome of the Cathedral, or Duomo, of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. The book explains how Filippo Brunelleschi, having studied the architectural ruins of ancient Rome went on to better his classical forbears and seemngly defy the laws of architecture as they were known at the time to create his remarkable, self-supporting dome. I read this book whilst on a trip to Florence, alongside exploring the cat...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (17)

More editions...

Genres

History

265 users

Non Fiction

161 users

Art

114 users

Architecture

80 users

Cultural > Italy

63 users

Art > Art History

33 users

Biography

22 users

Science

11 users

Science > Engineering

8 users

Travel

7 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Ross King

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Ross King (born July 16, 1962) is a Canadian novelist and non-fiction writer. He began his career by writing two works of historical fiction in the 1990s, later turning to non-fiction, and has since written several critically acclaimed and best-selling historical works.

King...more

More about Ross King...

Books by Ross King

The Judgment of Paris: The Revolutionary Decade that Gave the World Impressionism

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Brunelleschi's Do...

2 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

title link	preview: Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture
avg rating	preview: Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture Goodreads rating: 3.82 (6645 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/148821.Brunelleschi_s_Dome?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309288056l/148821.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/148821.Brunelleschi_s_Dome?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture by Ross King[/url]

Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website