Wnen Brunelleschi's dome was finally completed, it still lacked the "lantern," or top that you see here. The ability to construct the lantern was in doubt and just as he had when he won the commission to build the dome itself, Brunelleschi had to win a competition to build the lantern. Construction began in 1446, a few months before Brunelleschi's death. The lantern would not be completed until 1461, finally capping what would turn out to be nearly a full lifetime of work for Brunelleschi.