Filarete (fēˈlärĕˈtā) [key], c.1400–c.1465, Italian architect and sculptor, whose real name was Antonio Averlino, b. Florence. In the 1430s he went to Rome, where he studied the monuments of antiquity. His most famous project was the bronze doors for St. Peter's. Although somewhat original in style, he was not a highly skillful artist. In 1451 he was summoned to Milan by Francesco Sforza to design parts of buildings. He wrote an important treatise, Trattato di architettura, defending the principles of ancient architecture.
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