But Giovanni's pleas again fell on deaf ears. In the amendments made to
the cupola project in January' 1426, Filippo wrote: 'We make no special
suggestions regarding the light because the illumination from the eight windows below seems to be adequate.' He added that if it should be
discovered that more light was required, then windows could be
incorporated at the top of the dome — a solution already angrily rejected
by Giovanni as one that could only be advanced 'by a fool of small
understanding'. It was evident that the Opera sided with Filippo rather
than Giovanni, because construction proceeded on the cupola as before,
with the same curvature and without windows at the base; and several
weeks later Filippo received his salary increase to loo florins per year.
Giovanni, meanwhile, was paid lo gold florins for his advice, after which
he remained on the periphery of the project.