European Renaissance
Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore: Baptistry Doors
Description:
Casts represent five out of the ten panels from the Baptistry doors in Florence, Italy. The original panels were designed and executed by the great Florentine sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti for the east-facing main doors of the Baptistry building of the Duomo complex. Ghiberti worked on the doors for 27 years from 1425 to 1452. The Baptistry doors, known as the Gates of Paradise depict scenes from the old testament – one scene on each panel.Ghiberti illustrated the scenes of the old testament in ten panels through both an intricate and harmonious design. Ghiberti gives the viewer multiple scenes on one panel with visual clarity. The original bronze panels were made through the lost wax casting technique.
Above, slides one through four show the panel of Noah and the flood. Slides five through eight show the panel of Abraham with two major scenes- Angels telling of Sarah’s future son, and, the sacrifice of Isaac. Slides nine through eleven (the unrestored cast) is of the Genesis panel where the Creation of Adam and the Creation of Eve are illustrated in the foreground, and, the temptation of Adam and Eve in the background. Slides twelve through fourteen (the second unrestored cast) depict the scene of Moses and the daughters of Israel. Slides fifteen through eighteen show the victorious David and the fallen Goliath.
Period of Original: Renaissance
Origin of Original: Duomo, Florence, Italy
Location of the Cast: 20 W. 44 St. New York, NY USA
Provenance: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Condition: Except for two, all the panels have been restored.
Additional Information:
