MIT Libraries homeDome

The Seven Liberal Arts (marble reliefs on the east elevation, in diamonds, 2nd story); Astronomy / Music; The foundation stone of the new campanile of Florence Cathedral was laid in April 1334. The lower third of the tower was built according to Giotto's plans, and the lower section of the socle and the first floor were carried out under his direction to 1337, but the remaining sections were built from 1337 to 1341 under Andrea Pisano (the middle and upper levels completed by 1359, by Francesco Talenti). According to the account of the contemporary Antonio Pucci, Andrea was dismissed after attempting to deviate from Giotto's plan, which suggests that he was not an architect. Both levels of the socle were decorated with reliefs, in a coherent iconographic programme. The lower zone (originally with the exception of the north side) bore reliefs with three scenes from Genesis followed by the trovatori del-l'arti [sic] (Ghiberti), the 'discoverers of the crafts', while cycles of the Planets, Virtues, the Liberal Arts and the Seven Sacraments decorated the upper socle zone. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 12/2/2007)