The Cricket Cage: Michelangelo’s Famous Insult at Florence Cathedral

Have you ever looked closely at the base of Brunelleschi’s dome in Florence Cathedral and wondered why the marble gallery is unfinished?

Sometimes, a single remark can change the course of a work of art. This is the story of an unfinished gallery on Brunelleschi’s magnificent dome, and of Michelangelo’s cutting sense of humour.

When Filippo Brunelleschi completed his splendid dome, there were still finishing touches to be made to this extraordinary masterpiece. One of them was the decoration of the octagonal drum at the base of the dome, which was still bare.

In 1506, this task was entrusted to Baccio d’Agnolo, one of the architects responsible for the works of Florence Cathedral, together with Giuliano da Sangallo and Simone del Pollaiuolo.

Baccio designed an elegant marble gallery, with white columns and a balustrade running around all eight sides of the drum. The white marble would have created a striking contrast with the red roof tiles of the dome.

He began with the southern side, facing Via del Proconsolo, and completed it in 1515. One eighth of the project was finished.

Before continuing with the remaining seven sides, however, Baccio decided to ask the people of Florence for their opinion. He therefore suspended the work, waiting to hear what the public thought of his creation.

As fate would have it, Michelangelo Buonarroti, the undisputed master of the age, happened to be in Florence at the time.

He examined the white marble arches and columns carefully. Several members of the Florentine Signoria, fellow artists and a large crowd of curious onlookers gathered around him, eagerly awaiting his verdict.

Michelangelo slowly stroked his grey beard. Then, with a remark that would become famous, he delivered his judgement:

“It looks like a cricket cage to me.”

Imagine Baccio d’Agnolo’s disappointment! The architect was reportedly so offended by Michelangelo’s words that he abandoned the project altogether.

The other seven sides were never completed.

And that is why, even today, as you look up at Brunelleschi’s magnificent dome, you can still see that solitary section of marble gallery: a small, unfinished detail that preserves the memory of one of the Renaissance’s most memorable artistic rivalries.

Next time you visit Florence Cathedral, look for the so-called Cricket Cage. Behind this curious name lies a story of artistic ambition, pride and a devastatingly sharp remark by Michelangelo.