Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) was an Italian architect and engineer who was one of the pioneering figures of the Renaissance. He is most famous for developing a revolutionary method of perspective in art and for being the first modern engineer in history.
Brunelleschi was born in Florence, Italy and trained as a goldsmith and sculptor. In 1401 he entered a competition to design the bronze doors for the Florence Baptistery, but lost to Lorenzo Ghiberti. This loss propelled Brunelleschi to focus more intensely on architecture and engineering.
In the early 15th century, Brunelleschi rediscovered linear perspective, which revolutionized painting and sculpture. His method gave a more realistic depiction of three-dimensional forms on a two-dimensional surface. He used his techniques on some of his best known buildings in Florence including the Ospedale degli Innocenti (1419) and the Basilica di San Lorenzo (1425).
Brunelleschi's most famous architectural achievement was the enormous octagonal dome he built for Florence Cathedral, the Duomo, between 1420-1436. The dome was an engineering feat never achieved on such a grand scale. He invented several hoisting machines and innovative techniques for the construction. The Duomo dome remains the largest masonry dome ever built.
Among Brunelleschi's other notable works are churches of San Spirito and Santa Maria degli Angeli. He also produced some important sculptural works, most notably his experimentation on linear perspective using painted panels of the Florence Baptistery and Cathedral.
Brunelleschi was granted over 60 patents for his inventions and machines over his career. He introduced modern principles of engineering, achieving spectacular architectural feats through the precision, balance and grace of classical forms while boldly innovating structural designs. Brunelleschi's buildings, ideas and approach signaled a seminal shift in artistic and technological advancement, paving the way for the Renaissance.
