Filippo Brunelleschi

Brunelleschi is a goldsmith and clockmaker who wins the 1418 competition for the design of a dome for Santa Maria del Fiore, an impressive cathedral in Florence. This son of a civil servant from San Giovanni has an uncanny ability to solve mechanical problems and, after an apprenticeship, becomes a master goldsmith, like many other significant Florentine artists. His tie in the competition for the bronze doors of the Baptistry of San Giovanni plays an important role in his opportunity to compete for the chance at building Santa Maria del Fiore's dome. When he cannot work with Lorenzo Ghiberti on the design and construction of the bronze doors, he withdraws from the competition, moves to Rome, and works as a clock maker and studies the beautiful ancient Roman ruins.

Filippo remains in Rome on and off for thirteen years. Originally he comes to Rome with a young sculptor...