Changes

With the birth of the Renaissance in Europe, the concept and idea of mathematical symmetry being a form of perfection became not only an important philosophical thought but also an idea that transpired in architecture.<ref>For more information regarding symmetry in thought in the Renaissance, see: Thomson, David. 1993. Renaissance Architecture: Critics, Patrons, Luxury. Manchester ; New York : ;New York, NY, USA: Manchester University Press Distributed exclusively in the USA and Canada by St. Martin’s Press, pg. 201.</ref> Buildings reflected a revived interest in structures from the Roman and Greek past, as artists, scientists, and philosophers began to take inspiration from the past in their new work. Buildings began to appear geometrically portioned with elements that contained Classical styles, including Roman/Greek style columns, portioned arches, and evenly spaced lintels across buildings. <ref>For more information on the development on Renaissance buildings and church designs, see: Anderson, Christy. 2013. Renaissance Architecture. 1st ed. Oxford History of Art. Oxford: Oxford Univeristy Press, pg. 32.</ref> The Renaissance began Italy in the 15th century and spread across Europe over the next two centuries. Perhaps the most famous example that derived from this period is St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican (Figure 4), which was built in Renaissance style with its well-proportioned dome and Classical-influenced layout. The symmetry of such buildings was soon seen as a way to be closer to God, as symmetry was an expression of perfection. The style went on to be highly influential to other similar designs, including Baroque and Palladian architecture. Famous examples outside of Italy include St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.