Basilicia di Santa Croce. Florence, Italy. Filippo Brunelleschi (architect) c. 1429-1461 C.E. Masonry
Pazzi chapel as a perfect space with harmonious proportions. He could achieve this result by including in his project-plan the knowledge gained during his stay in Rome when he focused primarily on measuring ancient buildings, for instance the Pantheon. The central dome is decorated with round sculptures and the coat of arms of Pazzi Family
Context:
- Commissioned by the Pazzi family
- Part of the Basilica di Santa Croce
- Almost a centrally-planned space (it does have some barrel vaulted halls/aisles on both sides so it's a little rectangular)
- reminisent of the Pantheon's floorplan
- Based on the models of ancient Roman temples = a revival of Greek & Roman ideals
- a piece that's representative of the Early Renaissance
Form:
- Makes use of Pietra Serena Stone -- used to create spacial divisions
- A space with perfect geometry
- shapes all over (look at the floorplan and you'll be able to see this very clearly!)
Content:
- Corinthian columns
- Fluted pilasters
- Pendentives with roundels
- each roundel is made of clay and is glazed (glazing had just been discovered!) and represents the four Evangelists
- Small barrel vaults
- A dome with a halo of windows (Hagio Sophia vibes!) and an oculus (Pantheon vibes!)
- dominates the space-- the center of the chapel
- the windows + oculus allow for divine light to enter the space
- The space feels very constructed, ordered, designed, and rational.
Function:
- Created to be a "chapter house" = a meeting place for monks
- this is why a bench lines the wall
- Also...
- a burial site for Pazzi family members
- a physical representation of the Pazzi family's power, wealth, piety, generosity, and status
