Filarete's treatise in terms of history of architecture

In the fifteenth century Europe, especially in Italy, a deep interest in antique architecture and philosophy began to emerge. A search for ideal architecture, ideal society and ideal life was the focus with the accessibility of the ancient manuscripts. In the case of architecture, the search for an "ideal" was based on harmony, mathematical proportions, symmetry and human proportions. Italian Renaissance period architects, pursued their search for the "ideal city" both in theoretical narratives and in architectural practice. The main focus in this research is to make an extensive and multi-layered reading of the architectural treatise, "Libro Architettonico", of Florentine sculptor-architect Filarete, dedicated to his long-term employer Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, through an autobiographical setup. Putting forward the main aspects of Filarete's treatise by comparing it to the treatises written before and after him, comparing the realized projects with the fictive projects of the treatise and finally analyzing the quest for an "ideal city" are intended. Filarete's treatise is examined by comparing Vitruvius's treatise from ancient Rome and his contemporary Alberti's treatises in terms of structure, narrative language and content. Although Filarete gives several references to Vitruvius and Alberti in his treatise, his book does not have a systematic structure like its predecessors, but rather a creative and literary structure. After examining Filarete's treatise, it is compared with the major architectural treatises (Francesco di Giorgio, Serlio, Palladio) written after him. With the descriptions and drawings that can be considered insufficient for the practice of architecture and its time to time utopian character, Filarete's treatise has been found far from being a "handbook" for the architects of his period. However, the geometric plan of the "Ideal City" Sforzinda influenced and inspired many Renaissance architects such as Francesco di Giorgio and Serlio. Within the scope of the research, the "Ideal City" in the Renaissance period is analyzed in both conceptual and practical aspects. Ideal city concept has shown itself in many form of art including architectural treatises. In Alberti's "De re Aedificatoria", the ideal city is a perfect organism for a civilized, ideal life achieved by the architect. Leonardo da Vinci has also dealt with the "Ideal City" theme in his set of books - Codex Atlanticus. In Renaissance period, ideal squares, as presented in "Urbino Panoramas", are conceptualized as a representation of an ideal city. Architectural practice of "ideal city" has been less plentiful than the concept of "Ideal City". The ideal city example which turned into physical reality is Palmanova - a nine-pointed star-city planned for military defense. Besides, the squares in small cities such as Pienza, Urbino, Mantua and Ferrara are designed according to the "Ideal city" concept with the intellectual and financial support of the ruling elite- the newly-emerged wealthy bourgeois in the Renaissance period. xxiv Filarete's professional life and his works are included in the research since his treatise contains information about his life both in a direct and indirect way. Filarete's professional life as a relief artist and his architectural works are discussed within a chronological structure. Florentine sculptor-architect Antonio di Pietro Averlino who later called himself Filarete, meaning "a lover of virtue", started working in Florence in the and later in Rome as a relief artist. Filarete exhibits his innovative style in the prestigious commission of the bronze doors of old St. Peter's Basilica. After accomplishing his works, such as the doors of St. Peter's Basilica, metal medals and plaquettes, as a relief artist, he worked under the patronage of the Duke of Milan Francesco Sforza for long years participating in the major projects (Sforza Castle, Cathedral of Milan and Milan Hospital), by which the Duke intended to consolidate his power. However, his Florentine architectural style did not gain widespread acceptance neither in Milan, nor in Northern Italy where late Medieval style still dominated. Following the works of Filarete, the works considered to be linked with Filarete are studied under two distinct regional contexts: Istanbul and Italy. Filarete's planned journey to Istanbul and his desire to work under the patronage of Sultan Mehmet II in his later career are known, however there are no evidence of his presence in Istanbul. The structures in Istanbul where the traces of the conceptual ideas of Filarete can be explored are discussed according to their types (defense, religious and palace). Filarete's treatise whose first edition was dedicated to his long-time employer Francesco Sforza, is studied on the basis of narrative language, structure and content. Filarete's treatise is written in the form of Italian dialogue. The construction of Sforzinda with its harbour city - Plusiapolis - continues throughout the dialogues which take part mostly between Filarete, his employer and his son. The secondary activities such as tours within the neighborhoods of the city, hunting tours, dinners with local people take place within the structure of the treatise. The treatise starts with the ideal order, proportions and measures, which were in the focus in the Renaissance period. While the construction of the ideal city Sforzinda is going on, the definitions of an "ideal architect", "ideal architectural style" and "ideal architectural orders" are also determined. Filarete's ideal architect has expertise in both seven liberal arts and as a crafsman. His definition of the ideal architect has 'virtu' ' owing to his knowledge about so many subjects and his talents. Exploring new forms and ideas become the core of the role of the architect. Regarding the "ideal architectural style", Filarete often compares his Florentine architectural style expressed as "ancient" with the Gothic style widely used in Milan expressed as "modern" in his treatise within his creatively organized dialogues. He explicitly expresses his architectural style as ancient style and claims that Sforzinda's buildings are built in the architectural style in which antiquity is reborn. The ideal city of Sforzinda is initially put forward with its main plan and its urban squares. Sforzinda's plan consists of a star formed by two squares on top of each other without overlapping, and a circle surrounding it. The layout of the city, which includes both circle and square – idealized geometrical forms in the Renaissance period -, brings forward the defense function. The main square of Sforzinda is surrounded by the Cathedral, the Ducal Palace, the Episcopal Palace and two merchants' squares. Within the scope of the study, Sforzinda's different types of buildings (defense, religious, public, private houses for different social classes) are examined. Generally, xxv functionality stand out in all the buildings of Sforzinda in the narrative of the treatise. Although the defense structures are said to be functional in many different ways, they are inherently utopian in nature. The religious buildings with their layouts inspired the following Renaissance architects, and with their elevations including minaret like bell towers reflect Filarete's interest in the Eastern cultures. Filarete's Sforzinda's public buildings (Sforzinda Hospital, Schools and Prison) which function as charity institutions stand out within the explanations and the quantity of drawings in the treatise. With the design of "Ideal School", the students have the possibility of gaining "virtue" by the established education. Filarete's innovative education system which includes both liberal arts and crafts, allows the students to study and construct their path by following the area in which they are talented. "Commerce" plays an important role in the above-mentioned public buildings as it plays in the daily life in that period of time. Private houses belonging to different social classes are organized by a "specific" architectural style that is appropriate for the relevant class. In addition to the explained types of structures, utopian designs reflecting the creativity of Filarete such as House of Virtue and Vice and Revolving Tower are also emphasized. The general rules and regulations of Sforzinda which are correlated with Filarete's architecture are studied as well. Sforzinda, portrayed by Filarete, reflects the culture, socio-economic status and dynamics of Renaissance period. Moreover, throughout the treatise, Filarete's previous works as a relief artist and architect, his area of interests, his circle of friends, his resources for the treatise are noticable. In conclusion, Filarete's accented efforts to portray himself as "the architect of the ideal city" in his treatise are obvious. The ideal city theorized and executed in Sforzinda by means of architecture, reflects the idea of an ideal leader, society, and ideal management as well. Staying in line with the culture of that period, Filarete also shapes life by creating a social hierarchy.