Brunelleschi
FILIPPO DI SER LAPPI (brö-nel-es'kē), an Italian architect, born in Florence in 1377. After receiving a good education, he learned the goldsmith's art, practiced sculpture for a short time, and finally adopted architecture as his sole pursuit. About 1407 he was chosen to undertake the great task of completing the Duomo of his native city; its its noble noble cupola is his principal title to fame. He built also the Pitti Palace and the church of St. Lorenzo at Florence. He was competitor with Ghiberti for the execution of the gates of the Baptistery. He was long a member of the Supreme Council of Florence, where he died April 16, 1446.