MICHELANGELO Buonarroti
(b. 1475, Caprese, d. 1564, Roma)

Dome of St Peter's

1564
Photo
Basilica di San Pietro, Vatican

Michelangelo certainly had the wonderful external effect of the dome of Florence Cathedral in mind as he designed this dome, conceiving its outside view to the last detail. He was also able to follow its construction from 1554-1557 until the drum was in place. Its entire conception is only documented by the engraving by Etienne Dupérac. It was only after the artist's death that the dome was elongated, a total of 8-9 m being added to its height, with the result that it could be seen from far off. It was completed by Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana in 1588-1590.




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