File:The life of Michelangelo Buonarroti - based on studies in the archives of the Buonarroti family at Florence (1911) (14577847729).jpg

Identifier: lifeofmichelange02symo (find matches)
Title: The life of Michelangelo Buonarroti : based on studies in the archives of the Buonarroti family at Florence
Year: 1911 (1910s)
Authors: Symonds, John Addington, 1840-1893 Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1475-1564
Subjects: Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1475-1564
Publisher: New York : C. Scribners London : Macmillan
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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of the model. Itmay, indeed, be questioned whether the omissionwas not due to the difficulty of getting so manycolossal statues adequately finished at a periodwhen the fabric still remained imperfect in moreessential parte. Vasari, who lived in close intimacy with Michel-angelo, and undoubtedly was familiar with the model,gives a confused but very minute description of thebuilding. It is clear from this that the dome wasdesigned with two shells, both of which were to bemade of carefully selected bricks, the space betweenthem being applied to the purpose of an interiorstaircase. The dormer windows in the outer sheathnot only broke the surface of the vault, but alsoserved to light this passage to the lantern. Vasarisdescription squares with the model, now preservedin a chamber of the Vatican basilica, and also withthe present fabric. It would not have been necessary to dwell atgreater length upon the vaulting here but for diffi-culties which still surround the criticism of this salient
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OQ oP3 HA m o o(^po EH ft, O OO o LL QUESTION OF CUPOLAS CONSTRUCTION. 241 feature of S. Peters. Gotti published two plans ofthe cupola, which were made for him, he says, fromaccurate measurements of the model taken by Cava-liere Cesare Castelli, Lieut.-Col. of Engineers.^ Thesection drawing shows three shells instead of two, theinnermost or lowest being flattened out like the vaultof the Pantheon. Professor Josef Durm, in his essayupon the Domes of Florence and S. Peters, gives aminute description of the model for the latter, andprints a carefully executed copperplate engraving of itssection.^ It is clear from this work that at some time orother a third semi-spherical vault, corresponding to thatof the Pantheon, had been contemplated. This wouldhave been structurally of no value, and would havemasked the two upper shells, which at present crownthe edifice. The model shows that the dome itselfwas from the first intended to be composed of twosolid vaults of masonry, in the space betwee

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