Brunelleschi's dome in Florence, designed and overseered by a goldsmith

[rod]

Nova broadcast on public TV yesterday, a one hour story of the raising of Florence's cathedral dome in renaissance times.

Some of us will have read the book, and perhaps visited the cathedral. The building defied the technology of the time, and threatened to ruin the reputation of a city proud of its place in the Europe of the 15th. century. An architect/builder could not be found who could come up with a plan to raise the dome on such a large cathedral, until a local goldsmith applied for the position, a man with no experience in such matters. He went from small projects, to make a dome more than 300 feet high. Watch this inspiring programme, and reach for the stars yourself.

Can't be done today you say? Tell that to Joe Rundell, engraver, with no formal training in sculpture, who is now sculpting in life size bronze, many of the car industry's major figures.

Here the link.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/great-cathedral-mystery.html

Rod

 

[graniteguy52]

Rod,

The wife and I watched it just last night. It is truly fascinating ! It did not make me feel overly bright though.

 

[Texasgerd]

I really enjoyed the show too. Interesting how he invented the reversible winch system and increased production. I wish they'd have talked about how he got the granite lantern on top with just simple ropes and pulleys.

Dan

 

[silverchip]

Now I know where the term "Herringbone" originated!!!!

 

[Big-Un]

WOW! That is the epitome of observation and thinking outside the box. I'm positive certain people are gifted to see things differently than convention dictates. We as artists have some of that, but an occasional few go far beyond even our powers of observation, and I see evidence of that here with some of our compatriots. We all need to "think" more and question what we see more.

Bill

 

[rod]

Yes, the story is quite inspiring. Florence was crawling with artistic talent, and plenty of architects. It is astounding that he was given the go ahead... probably in desperation, by the city after they thought they had overstepped what was practically possible. Mind you, Michelangelo did not have building and engineering design experience enough to be considered for the design of St Peter's dome, with its big chain at the base?

I wish a skilled engraver would step forward with a solution to the world economy. Perhaps some one who has experience in banknote style?

Rod

 

[Marrinan]

Sorry Rod, That's been solved. Obama has the solution. Platium trillion dollar coins. He just going to pay off all the debts. I should send him my mortgage payment book.

 

[Roger Bleile]

Rod,

Thanks for posting the link to the program. Even though I've visited the Duomo, there was much about its construction that I learned from the video. It never ceases to amaze me how some people, like Brunelleschi, can visualize complex solutions that would never occur to me. But then, like Bill O'Reilly often says "I'm a simple man."

Cheers,
Roger