jmd
It may also be worth noting that Michelangelo was also influenced by Vitruvius, the Roman architect (amongst other things), for whom the Golden Proportion, and from whom Leonardo based his 'Vitruvian Man', was important - and hence also 72 degrees.
To also quote that Italian Gothic bore little from the Northern French is only partially correct. Rather, it appears to have incorporated various aspects, including more easterly influences. It seems that lower portions of intended Gothic style Cathedrals do indeed bear the hallmarks of northern French influence, but that the overall structures, from an architectural perspective, do not.
I personally suspect that due to its later appearance in Italy, its height had already been and partly dissolved...
To also quote that Italian Gothic bore little from the Northern French is only partially correct. Rather, it appears to have incorporated various aspects, including more easterly influences. It seems that lower portions of intended Gothic style Cathedrals do indeed bear the hallmarks of northern French influence, but that the overall structures, from an architectural perspective, do not.
I personally suspect that due to its later appearance in Italy, its height had already been and partly dissolved...