Dome

High Altar, view looking up into the vault; Antonio's most important work is the pilgrimage church of the Madonna di S Biagio (begun 1518), near Montepulciano. The dome was completed in 1543, the east tower in 1564, and the west tower (not completed) was added in 1574. The lantern and the upper floor of the tower were designed in 1543 by Baccio d'Agnolo. Antonio's numerous drawings of the project (Florence, Uffizi) are evidence of a careful process of planning. Taking the model of his brother's S Maria delle Carceri, Prato, as a starting-point, he created a vast centralized building. The plan is a Greek cross, without aisles. A square block projects above the crossing to form a base for the drum, pilastered inside and out, which supports a hemispherical dome. The arms of the cross are barrel-vaulted, and the four supporting arches at the crossing spring from a jutting entablature borne on ensembles of deeply modelled Doric pilasters and engaged columns on a low plinth, which project well forward into the crossing space. The church is designed into its landscape setting and, while enhancing the significance of its site, defers to the ambient buildings. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/20/2008)