whole edifice
as given by Vasari, differs from that given by Fantozzi; the latter
gives 196 braccia as its total height. Milizia says, "Brunelleschi
completed his undertaking, which surpassed in height any work of the
ancients. The lantern alone remained imperfect; but he left a model for
it, and always recommended, even in his last moments, that it should be
built of heavy marble, because the cupola being raised on four arches,
it would have a tendency to spring upwards if not pressed with a heavy
weight. The three mathematicians who have written on the cupola of St.
Peter's, have clearly demonstrated a truth differing from the opinion of
Brunelleschi, viz., that the small cupola increases, in a great degree,
the lateral pressure. The whole height of the structure from the ground
to the top, is 385 feet; that is, to the lantern 293 feet, the latter
being 68 feet 6 inches; the ball 8 feet; the cross 15 feet 6 inches. * * *

"The plan of the dome is octangular; each side in the interior is 57
feet, and the clear width between the sides, not measuring into the
angles, is 137 feet; the walls are 16 feet 9 inches thick; the whole
length of the church is 500 feet. The nave has four pointed arches on
each side, on piers, separating it from the side aisles. The transept
and choir have no side aisles, but are portions of an octagon, attached
to the base of the dome, giving the whole plan the figure of a cross.
The edifice has a Gothic character, and is incrusted in marble and
mosaic work." * * *

According to Fontani, this cupola exceeds that of the Vatican, both in
height and circumference by four braccia; and although supported by
eight ribs only, which renders it much lighter than that of the Vatican,
which has sixteen flanking buttresses, it is nevertheless more solid and
firm. Thus it has never required to be supported by circling hoops of
iron, nor has it demanded the labors of the many engineers and
architects who have printed volumes upon the subject. The construction
of this cupola is remarkable in these particulars--that it is
octangular, that it is double, and built entirely on the walls,
unsupported by piers, and that there are no apparent counterforts.]

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Anecdotes of Painters, Engravers,
Sculptors and Architects and Curiosities of Art (Vol. 3 of 3), by S. Spooner

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANECDOTES OF PAINTERS ***

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