Bramante and High Renaissance Architecture

Saint Peter's, Vatican City
Picture taken by Cava H.

Donato D'Angelo Bramante was born in Urbino and trained as a painter. He went to Milan in 1481, and abandoned painting to become an architect. Bramante developed the High Renaissance form of the central-plan church under the influence of Filippo Brunelleschi, Leon Battista Alberti, and Leonardo. While the Early Renaissance style of architecture emphasized detailing flat wall surfaces, High Renaissance architecture was more sculptural. Bramante favored the architecture and art of classical antiquity. He was inspired by the round temples of Roman Italy, and his first major work in the classical style was the Tempietto (“Little Temple”). The Tempietto's dome, drum, and base are in balance and harmony to one another and to the whole. The plan is round and the elevated base isolates it from its surroundings. Bramante's Tempietto started the architecture style of the High Renaissance. Pope Julius II chose Bramante to design a replacement for the church of Old Saint Peter's. Bramante designed a central-plan church consisting of a Greek cross with each arm terminating in an apse. However, the construction of Saint Peter's was not completed in Bramante's lifetime. After his death, the work was passed to Michelangelo, who modified Bramante's design.