Renaissance Architecture

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Definition

Renaissance architecture originated in Italy and superseded the Gothic style over a period generally defined as 1400 to 1600. Features of Renaissance buildings include the use of the classical orders and mathematically precise ratios of height and width combined with a desire for symmetry, proportion, and harmony. Columns, pediments, arches and domes are imaginatively used in buildings of all types.

More about: Renaissance Architecture

Timeline

  • 1377 - 1446
    Life of the Italian Renaissance architect and sculptor Filippo Brunelleschi.
  • 1404 - 1472
    Life of the Italian Renaissance architect Leon Battista Alberti.
  • 1418 - 1428
    The Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo, Florence is built according to the design by Filippo Brunelleschi.
  • c. 1419
    The Italian Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi designs the influential Ospedale degli Innocenti in Florence.
  • 1436
    The Italian Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi completes the dome of the cathedral of Florence.
  • c. 1444 - 1514
    Life of the Italian Renaissance architect Donato Bramante.
  • c. 1450
    The Italian Renaissance architect Leon Battista Alberti designs the facade for the Tempio Malatestiano in Rimini.
  • c. 1450
    The Italian Renaissance architect Leon Battista Alberti designs the Palazzo Rucellai in Florence.
  • 1456
    The Italian Renaissance architect Leon Battista Alberti translates his treatise on architecture, On Building (De Re Aedificatoria) into the Tuscan vernacular.
  • c. 1458
    The Italian Renaissance architect Leon Battista Alberti designs the new facade for the Santa Maria Novella church in Florence.
  • 1460
    The Italian Renaissance architect Leon Battista Alberti designs the San Sebastiano church in Mantua.
  • c. 1470
    The Italian Renaissance architect Leon Battista Alberti designs the Basilica San Andrea in Mantua.
  • 1475 - 1554
    Life of the Italian Renaissance architect Sebastiano Serlio.
  • 1492 - 1494
    The Italian Renaissance architect Donato Bramante likely works on the rectangular piazza in Vigevano.
  • 1499
    The Italian Renaissance architect Donato Bramante moves to Rome.
  • 1500
    The Italian Renaissance architect Bramante designs the cloister for the Santa Maria della Pace church in Rome.
  • 1501
    The Italian Renaissance architect Donato Bramante designs the Palazzo Caprini in Rome, aka 'Raphael's House'.
  • 1502
    Leonardo da Vinci moves to Rome where he works for Cesare Borgia to sort out the city’s canals.
  • 1502
    Leonardo da Vinci produces his precise overhead view map of Imola, the first map of its kind.
  • c. 1502
    The Italian Renaissance architect Donato Bramante designs the Tempietto of San Pietro in Montorio, Rome.
  • 1504
    The Italian Renaissance architect Donato Bramante redesigns the space between the Vatican Palace and the Villa Belvedere in Rome.
  • c. 1506
    The Italian Renaissance architect Donato Bramante creates his design for the new Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.
  • 1508 - 1580
    Life of the Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio.
  • 1512
    The Laurentian Library, San Lorenzo in Florence, designed by Michelangelo, is completed.
  • c. 1517
    Antonio da Sangallo the Younger designs the High Renaissance Palazzo Farnese in Rome.n
  • 1517
    Leonardo da Vinci moves to France to work for Francis I of France.
  • 1519 - 1547
    The Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley of France is built.
  • 1537 - 1551
    The Italian Renaissance architect Sebastiano Serlio writes what would become known as his Seven Books on Architecture.
  • 1544 - 1546
    The Italian Renaissance architect Sebastiano Serlio works on his design of the Château d’Ancy-le-Franc in France.
  • 1544
    The Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo begins his redesign of the Capitoline Hill in Rome.
  • 1546
    The Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio designs the new facade for the town hall of Vicenza (the Basilica Palladiana).
  • 1547
    The Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo begins working on the soaring dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome (completed in 1590 CE).
  • c. 1550
    The Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio designs the Palazzo Chiericati in Vicenza.
  • c. 1551
    The Villa Valmarana, aka ‘La Rotonda’, near Vicenza and designed by Andrea Palladio, is built.
  • 1556
    The Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio provides a series of illustrations for a new edition of Vitruvius’ 'On Architecture'.
  • 1558
    The Mannerist Palazzo Marino courtyard in Milan, designed by Galeazzo Alessi, is completed.
  • 1565
    The Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio designs the San Giorgio Maggiore church in Venice.
  • 1570
    The Four Books of Architecture by Andrea Palladio is published.
  • 1576
    The Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio designs the church now commonly known as Il Redentore in Venice.
  • c. 1580
    The Teatro Olimpico, Vicenza, is completed according to a design by Andrea Palladio.
  • 1626
    St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is completed.
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