FILE: 41_Santa Maria Novella_Alberti.jpg

TITLE: ARCHITECTURE - Santa Maria Novella - EARLY ITALIAN RENAISSANCE

DESCRIPTION: by ALBERTI. Orig. a trecento church, gothic style. Alberti commissioned by Rucellai family to change. Accomplished it via mathematics: height = width to make large square; upper square is 1/4 area of entire square; combines round roman arches & pointy gothic arches; ornamental inlaid marble surface reminiscent of Neo Byzantine. People saw all this and liked it c/o all the styles were familiar. ALBERTI INVENTED: THE SCROLL of the roof to soften look of profile of basilica. Early basilicas had nave roof higher than aisles. Scroll is important: scroll will be used a lot in Baroque cathedral churches.