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

Bernardo Sansone Sgrilli created this cross-sectional drawing of the Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence in the mid-18th century. Sgrilli’s detailed rendering provides a glimpse into the architectural precision and artistic vision of Renaissance Florence, a period marked by both cultural flourishing and hierarchical social structures. The design reveals the cathedral's spatial dynamics while also reflecting the socio-political context of its time. Cathedrals like the Santa Maria del Fiore served not only as religious centers but also as symbols of civic pride and power, deeply intertwined with the identities of those who commissioned, designed, and built them. Sgrilli’s drawing invites reflection on the power dynamics inherent in architectural spaces. Consider the experiences of those whose labor contributed to its construction, and how their identities shaped, and were shaped by this iconic structure.