Ghiberti's Doors

I've been doing some research on Florence, Italy, and my attention is naturally drawn again and again to the Baptistery eastern doors fashioned by Lorenzo Ghiberti in the early 1400s. The doors as a whole command one's attention. Only by examining them one by one, though, can we really appreciate their artistry, their sheer mastery.   From top to bottom, and left to right, the ten scenes are as follows:

Adam and Eve;  Cain and Abel;

Noah;               Abraham;

Isaac & sons;    Joseph;

Moses;             Joshua;

David;              Solomon & Queen. 

Two additional sets of photos are at Mary Ann Sullivan's site.  One set provides close-ups of the facsimile doors which are today actually on the Baptistery.   Another set shows the original doors. 

If you become as entranced as I am by the doors, you can download and view the extraordinary 10.8 MB version of these bronze doors at Wikipedia.  It shows not only the bronze plaques, but also all the surrounding figures and other decoration. 

Comments

[Bente M]

I love old doors from the past. This was especially beautiful. Thank you for posting. :-)

[Keara]

Thanks for your comment, Bente. I love it that these photos are so detailed. It provides a chance to really get to know these amazing sculptures.