A Collaboration of Genius

 “When investigating truth, there is no harm in adding to the diligence of one’s predecessors.” 

-Erasmus

The View From Mt. Ventoux

Men like Erasmus took what was from the past and brought it into a new world.  Each genius shared different ideas, some were scientific, others artistic, or perhaps religious, all were literary.  Though it seemed untrue in geniuses like Leonardo Da Vinci and Brunelleschi, it held that, "Onc ne furent a touts toutes graces donnees." ["All graces were never yet given to any one man."] - La Brebis.  As these men had not all graces in one, they had to take their knowledge and skill by following others.

“Stale water is a poor drink... Stale skill is worse. And the man who walks in his own footsteps only ends where he began.”

-Loyd Alexander

Competing Geniuses: The Dome of Florence

Filippo Brunelleschi spent 20 years designing and the world’s largest brick dome, and he was a goldsmith.  This dome was the crowning achievement and victory of Brunelleschi’s life.  It was preceded by designing clocks, formal art school, mastering architecture; and extensive study of old Greek and Roman texts.  He lived in the beginning of the Renaissance and inspired men like Leonardo Di Vinci and Michelangelo with his designs and art.  He was, in the renaissance sense of the word, a true genius, the kind of renaissance man that Kenny talks about in his earlier post.

His struggle to build the dome was a very personal one.  His efforts were often sabotaged and criticized by his rival, Lorenzo Ghiberti, who was commissioned to work on the dome alongside Brunelleschi.  Lorenzo too had great fame in Florence as an artist and architect.  In fact, he had beaten Brunelleschi before to win a commission to build the bronze doors to the Saint John Baptistery.  By nature Brunelleschi was an intense man who easily lost his temper.  He often vied against his rival.