Old Testament- Joseph in Egypt from the “Gates of Paradise”, Lorenzo Ghiberti (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Baptistery, Florence, probably 11th cent. Romanesque (6) (Photo credit: Prof. Mortel)
English: The Gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti at Florence. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Gilt-bronze doors of the Baptistry at Florence (Lorenzo Ghiberti, 1401-22) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Bust of Lorenzo Ghiberti in the Gates of Paradise (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Baptistry of Firenze, Italy Deutsch: Das Baptisterium San Giovanni in Florenz (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Gates of Paradise, Baptistery, Florence. The doors in situ are reproductions. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Adam and Eve by Ghiberti (Panel 1 of the Gates of Paradise
The Baptistry with Ghiberti’s Bronze Doors, “The Gate of Paradise” was sculpted by Ghiberti (1378-1455) between the years 1425 and 1452. The 10 panels depict biblical scenes from the Old Testament .  They include: the Original Sin of Adam and Eve, the Story of Noah and the Story of Moses. Here are some “Art History Tidbits”: |
| 1. The Baptistry is one of the city’s oldest buildings, built in the 6thcentury.
2. The doors on the Baptistry are not the original doors. Ghiberti’s original doors are preserved in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. 3. Inside the Duomo Museum you can admire the original scenes from the “Last Judgment” by Zuccari and Vasari. 4. Many visitors think that the original doors are on the Baptistry-don’t be fooled! Go see the original doors while you are in Florence at the Museum! Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is a gorgeous and large new museum dedicated to the Dome and Basilica, as well as restoration projects. Home to the largest collection of sculptures from Medieval and Renaissance Florence in the world, this museum has an active restoration lab and school on site. Ghiberti’s doors, Michelangelo’s The Deposition, a model of the original, never-completed façade of Santa Maria del Fiore, and a room dedicated to Brunelleschi’s architectural masterpiece: the Dome of Florence cathedral. The gift has a great collection of books. 5. In the center of the door, Ghiberti cast a self portrait. His prominent facial features and wrinkled brow are displayed among the other faces.  Ghiberti 6. The original panels were damaged during the flood of 1966. 7. The panels were restored after the flood and moved to the Museo of the Cathedral. 8. Historically, the Baptistry of the church was separated from the actual church building because people were not allowed to enter the church until they were baptized. The panel below is a scene from “The Battle with the Philistines.” In this scene, David slays Goliath and carries his head before a cheering crowd to Jerusalem.
Old Testament- Joseph in Egypt from the “Gates of Paradise”, Lorenzo Ghiberti (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
 A Bronze plaque (history of Joseph), from the Gates of Paradise of the Florence Baptistery, by Lorenzo Ghiberti (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guide Books to Italy and Vino Con Vista Travel Guides can be purchased at these sites.  Gates of Paradise in Florence  The Gates of Paradise (by Lorenzo Ghiberti) of the Baptistery, Florence. Schema: 1. Adam and Eve 2. Cain and Abel 3. Noah 4. Abraham 5. Isaac with Esau and Jacob 6. Joseph 7. Moses 8. Joshua 9. David 10. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) To learn more about Italy read www.vino-con-vista.com Travel Guides. |
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NYC – Metropolitan Museum of Art – Gates of Paradise – Jacob and Esau (Photo credit: wallyg)
