Donato Bramante Flashcards
(18 cards)
When and where was Donato Bramante born?
Bramante was born in 1444 in Fermignano, near Urbino, Italy.
What architectural style is Bramante most associated with?
The High Renaissance, characterized by monumental scale, symmetry, and classical harmony.
What was Bramante’s first major work in Milan?
Santa Maria presso San Satiro, where he created a trompe-l’oeil effect to give the illusion of a deep choir in a confined space.
Santa Maria delle Grazie, where he designed the apse and cloister, blending Renaissance symmetry with Gothic elements.
What innovative technique did Bramante use in Santa Maria presso San Satiro?
Trompe-l’oeil perspective, making a shallow space appear much deeper through visual illusion.
What masterpiece did Bramante create in Rome that symbolizes Renaissance perfection?
The Tempietto of San Pietro in Montorio, a small circular temple inspired by ancient Roman temples.
Why is the Tempietto of San Pietro in Montorio significant?
It represents the culmination of Renaissance ideals, with perfect proportions and classical elements.
What was Bramante’s role in the design of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome?
He created the original plan in 1506, featuring a Greek-cross layout with a massive central dome.
How did Bramante’s plan for St. Peter’s Basilica reflect his architectural philosophy?
It emphasized monumentality and symmetry, inspired by ancient Roman designs like the Pantheon.
What other project did Bramante undertake for Pope Julius II in the Vatican?
The Cortile del Belvedere, an architectural masterpiece connecting the Vatican Palace to the Belvedere Villa.
What innovation did Bramante introduce in the Cortile del Belvedere?
A grand stepped terrace that created a dramatic, unified space linking buildings with gardens.
What feature distinguishes Bramante’s Santa Maria delle Grazie apse design?
The use of classical proportions and a semi-domed structure, blending harmony with monumental scale.
How did Bramante’s architecture transition from Early to High Renaissance?
By moving from smaller, detailed works (e.g., Santa Maria presso San Satiro) to monumental designs (e.g., St. Peter’s Basilica).
What was Bramante’s influence on Renaissance architecture?
Its centralized plan, classical columns, and perfect symmetry exemplify the principles of the High Renaissance.
What makes the Cortile del Belvedere a significant work in urban planning?
It introduced the idea of integrating architecture with landscape, creating a monumental axis between structure
How did Bramante’s work reflect humanist ideals?
By reviving classical architectural forms and applying them to modern needs, emphasizing harmony, proportion, and intellectual rigor
What challenges did Bramante face with St. Peter’s Basilica?
The complexity of such a monumental project and the fact that he did not live to see it completed; later architects modified his original plan.
What was Bramante’s architectural philosophy?
He believed in combining classical principles of symmetry and proportion with innovative solutions for monumental structures.
Why is Bramante considered a central figure in Renaissance architecture?
He introduced the monumental scale and classical harmony of the High Renaissance, influencing generations of architects.
