Monday, June 15, 2009
The Baptistery in Florence has three extraordinary doors escorting patrons to enter. Starting with the South Doors, the bronze casting and gilding was created by Leonardo d'Avanzano. Completed in 1336 these bronze reliefs, consisting of 28 quatrefoil panels, depict scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist and eight panels exemplifying the eight virtues.
In 1401, a competition was announced for designs of the North Doors. The commotion was won by 21-year old Lorenzo Ghiberti. After 21 years the gilded bronze doors were completed consist of twenty-eight panels, twenty panels depicting New Testament biblical scenes and eight lower panels depict four evangelists and Fathers Saint Ambrose, Saint Jerome, Saint Gregory and Saint Augustine.
In 1425 Ghiberti received a second commission for the East Doors. After 27 years, ten panels depicting the story of Joseph from the Old Testament were completed. These panels are larger rectangles and are no longer embedded in Gothic quatrefoil. Because of the use of different sculpting techniques and tools these are more exquisitely crafted than the previous two doors.
In 1401, a competition was announced for designs of the North Doors. The commotion was won by 21-year old Lorenzo Ghiberti. After 21 years the gilded bronze doors were completed consist of twenty-eight panels, twenty panels depicting New Testament biblical scenes and eight lower panels depict four evangelists and Fathers Saint Ambrose, Saint Jerome, Saint Gregory and Saint Augustine.
In 1425 Ghiberti received a second commission for the East Doors. After 27 years, ten panels depicting the story of Joseph from the Old Testament were completed. These panels are larger rectangles and are no longer embedded in Gothic quatrefoil. Because of the use of different sculpting techniques and tools these are more exquisitely crafted than the previous two doors.
Michelangelo referred to these doors as fit to be the "Gates of Paradise", and they are still invariably referred to by this name. (Originals were deteriorating, and could only be saved if they were moved indoors to Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.)
0 comments:
Post a Comment