Dwarsdoorsnede van de Santa Maria del Fiore te Florence 1733 - 1755

Bernardo Sansone Sgrilli’s cross-section of the Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, rendered in the 18th century, reveals more than just architectural structure; it exposes the symbolic language embedded in its design. The dome, a dominant feature, represents not only an engineering marvel but also a sacred canopy, echoing the heavens and divine protection. This motif of the dome, or cupola, has ancient roots, appearing in Roman temples and Byzantine churches, each time signifying power, authority, and the cosmos. The oculus at its apex, here merely suggested, is particularly potent—think of the Pantheon in Rome, where the opening allows for direct celestial connection. This opening invites a dance of light and shadow, evoking a primal, almost subconscious response to the divine, a universal yearning to connect with something greater. Notice how the symbolic forms recur, evolve, and adapt, demonstrating how the cultural memory persists, echoing through time and space in a continuous, cyclical procession.