A Masterpiece by Lorenzo
Ghiberti
Michelangelo, the famous renaissance sculptor likened the gilded bronze doors of Florence's Baptistery of San Giovanni to the "Gates of Paradise." The phrase stuck, for reasons that anyone who has seen them will understand.
Combining a goldsmith's delicacy with a foundryman's bravura, sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti condensed the Old Testament into ten panels to produce one of the defining masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance.
Tragic facts:
Since their installation in 1452, the doors have withstood a variety of near-biblical catastrophes: a torrential flood, vandalism, overzealous polishing and caustic air pollution. When the doors were finally removed for restoration from the facade of the 11th-century octagonal Baptistery in 1990, they looked dull and grimy. But the worst damage was occurring almost invisibly. Diagnostic studies revealed that fluctuations in humidity were causing unstable oxides on the bronze beneath the gilding to dissolve and recrystallize, creating minute craters and blisters on the gold surface.
Restoration of the Gates:
The restorers' first task was to clean the six panels, successively bathing them in a Rochelle salt solution and water, then applying acetone and drying them with warm air. "It was a great surprise when we took the first panel out and saw how much gold was there and how shiny it was," says Stefania Agnoletti, the conservator in charge of the cleaning. "It was an emotional moment."
Details of the ten panels:
Ghiberti divided the door in ten square panels and in each panel he depicted a different scene from the old and new testaments.
the 1st panel from upper left:
Below the first
In the foreground are Noah's shame and on the right his sacrifice..
Below the Noah
Moses below the Noah
Daughters of Israel; Receiving the Law, Moses is shown on the hill top receiving law from the god, while the ladies are looking.
David below the Moses
David is in the process of severing the head of Goliath with his own large sword. Part of the figure of Noah can be seen at the lower border. (Noah and his wife occupy the lowest border.) the war scene depicted in relief is simply breathtaking.
Panel on upper right top
In the distance the brothers offer their sacrifices and somewhat nearer, Cain slays Abel. In the middle ground Abel is seen with his dog watching his flocks. In the foreground Cain ploughs and on the right receives God's curse.
Abraham
Angels announcing that Sarah will bear a son; this scene is relief-ed at the left corner and the Sacrifice of Isaac is depicted on the upper right corner, where Abraham is shown with a knife in hand, ready to sacrifice Isaac.
Joseph below the Abraham relief
this panel is depicting the story of Joseph, how he brought prosperity to the people of Egypt when he became the treasurer. the architectural detail behind the people is very much detailed and precise.
the Joshua story
left side of panel shows Joshua on chariot preceded by the ark of the covenant; while the right side is depicting the Carrying of the Stones; the background with the city of Jericho and the priests with trumpets.
Solomon
the last relief shows Solomon and Queen of Sheba in the palace. the architectural details and the crowd are depicted with very much detail and accuracy.
Border details
What i like?the gate of paradise is a master-piece of art. the relief work done on it is more or less unrivaled by any artwork of art history.artist "lorenzo" not only7 used high relief but also the low relief technique in it and in each panel, he told a different story from the pages of old and new testament and in a small panel, told the story very interrestingly.it deserved the place in this blog.
What i like?
the gate of paradise is a master-piece of art. the relief work done on it is more or less unrivaled by any artwork of art history.
