Palazzo Strozzi Essay

Kim 1
Erin Kim
Ambassador School of Global Leadership
Advanced Placement United States History
2 February 2018
Topic B; Question III
Modern Architecture: The Mirror Image of Renaissance Architecture
During the early 15th and early 17th century, architecture truly embodied the height of
the Renaissance era. Its profound significance reached all over Europe as the era of rebirth
transformed the continent. It is one of the most well-renowned rebirths of the Renaissance,
displaying a sensible resurgence and a gradual development of certain stylistic elements of
ancient Greek and Roman material culture––particularly symmetry and classical orders.
Stylistically speaking, Renaissance architecture mirrored many prominent features of Gothic
architecture and was superseded by Baroque architecture. Although the mastering of the
architectural details of the ancient Romans was an important aspect of Renaissance architecture,
stylistic elements semi-dominated the distinctiveness of Renaissance architecture; the style
become more centered upon being more decorative and ornamental, with an omnipresent use of
statuary, domes, and cupolas; these buildings revealed expressions of strength, stability, and
security––this led to an appeal in both emotion and reason.
One of the most renowned architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance is Palazzo
Strozzi; it was different from other Renaissance architecture for its massive scale relative to the
neighboring buildings of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries. Not only
was the enormous scale set the building apart from others, but the chosen area it was built
Kim 2
upon––right in the center of town––was a huge factor in highlighting the uniqueness of the
architecture. Due to its architectural beauty and exceptional location, it became the mecca of the
town. Although it served as a place of residence for the family of Filippo Strozzi and the most
magnificent place to maintain his family’s high rank, it stands as one of the finest examples of
Renaissance domestic architecture and as a famous tourist attraction opened as an exhibition.
The architectural rebirth of the Renaissance has been proven to have inspired some of
the most influential buildings of the modern times––the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; it is
also called “the copy of Palazzo Strozzi (The Fed).” Its size and majesty, features that have been
underlined in Renaissance Florence, contrasts with the neighboring buildings, high towers, and
skyscrapers of the modern era. Architecturally, the Federal Reserve Bank closely mirrors the
buildings from the Italian Renaissance period, displaying a palazzo, or a palatial building,
reminiscent of former Florentine banking houses such as the Strozzi Palace. Like the buildings of
the Italian Renaissance, the building revealed expressions of strength, stability, and security,
inspiring public confidence. Apart from the architectural and expressional similarities, there are
two important factors that they have in common: the two similar buildings were buildings of
purpose, and were meccas. The responsibilities of the Federal Reserve Bank was huge as it
helped finance expenditures for the United States military by selling bonds and by being the
federal government’s fiscal agent. It serves as a mecca as it is a tourist attraction where free
guided tours are given to tourists in the area.
Many people look upon history as just ‘the time of the past’ and don’t bother to explore
the beauty of how it influenced our modern society. The influence of Renaissance architecture
has impacted the face of our modern form of architecture. For example, the Federal Reserve
Kim 3
Bank of New York is very similar in regards to architectural style. The architecture of the Italian
Renaissance was clearly a pivotal point in history, as it was the rebirth of the European society
that has shaped modern history.

Kim 4
Works Cited
Boundless. “Renaissance Architecture.” Renaissance Architecture | Boundless Art History,
courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-arthistory/chapter/renaissance-architecture/.
“FEDERAL RESERVE BANK of NEW YORK - Serving the Second District and the Nation -
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK of NEW YORK.” FEDERAL RESERVE BANK of NEW
YORK - Serving the Second District and the Nation - FEDERAL RESERVE BANK of
NEW YORK, www.newyorkfed.org/.
Plumb, J.H. The Italian Renaissance. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1987.
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Renaissance architecture.” Encyclopædia Britannica,
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 8 July 2014,
www.britannica.com/art/Renaissance-architecture.
Travel | January 21, 2015. “Florence's Art Mecca In One Of the City's Oldest Palaces | Visiting
The Palazzo Strozzi.” Inspired Citizen, 6 Feb. 2016,
www.inspiredcitizen.com/florences-art-mecca-in-one-of-the-citys-oldest-palaces-visiting-
the-palazzo-strozzi/.

Palazzo Strozzi Essay

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Palazzo Strozzi Essay

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Palazzo Strozzi Essay

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Kim 1

Ambassador School of Global Leadership

Advanced Placement United States History

Topic B; Question III

Modern Architecture: The Mirror Image of Renaissance Architecture

displaying a sensible resurgence and a gradual development of certain stylistic elements of

Stylistically speaking, Renaissance architecture mirrored many prominent features of Gothic

stylistic elements semi-dominated the distinctiveness of Renaissance architecture; the style

security––this led to an appeal in both emotion and reason.

One of the most renowned architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance is Palazzo

Renaissance domestic architecture and as a famous tourist attraction opened as an exhibition.

guided tours are given to tourists in the area.

that has shaped modern history.

Boundless. “Renaissance Architecture.” ​Renaissance Architecture | Boundless Art History,​

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK of NEW YORK.” ​FEDERAL RESERVE BANK of NEW

NEW YORK,​ www.newyorkfed.org/.

Plumb, J.H. ​The Italian Renaissance​. ​Houghton Mifflin Company, 1987.

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Renaissance architecture.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica,​

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 8 July 2014,

The Palazzo Strozzi.” ​Inspired Citizen​, 6 Feb. 2016,

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Boundless. “Renaissance Architecture.” Renaissance Architecture | Boundless Art History,

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK of NEW YORK.” FEDERAL RESERVE BANK of NEW

NEW YORK, www.newyorkfed.org/.

Plumb, J.H. The Italian Renaissance. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1987.

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Renaissance architecture.” Encyclopædia Britannica,

The Palazzo Strozzi.” Inspired Citizen, 6 Feb. 2016,