Some highbrow Renaissance architect (4)
![Ross](/clue/static/ross-mug.min.png)
I believe the answer is:
wren
'architect' is the definition.
(Christopher Wren, 17th-century architect)
'some highbrow renaissance' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some parts of the word are used).
'WREN' is hidden in the letters of 'highbrow renaissance'.
(Other definitions for wren that I've seen before include "Bird - architect, 1632-1723" , "Once a woman in the Royal Navy" , "A songster" , "17th Century architect" , "held up by wings at small scale?" .)