Gates of Paradise
(Doors of the Baptistry of St. John
Florence
Tuscany, Italy
N 43° 46.388 E 011° 15.318
Short Description:
The gilded bronze east doors of the Baptistry of St. John, were named the "Gates of Paradise" by Michaelangelo. The original was created by Lorenzi Ghiberti. They are now being preserved at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence, Italy.
Long Description:
In 1425 Lorenzi Ghiberti was commissioned to create a set of doors for the east entrance to the Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistry of St. John). He together with his workers (including Michelozzo and Benozzo Gozzoli) worked for for 27 years to complete the doors.
The gilded bronze doors contain have ten panels depicting scenes from the Old Testament. Ghiberti exploited the recently discovered artistic principles of perspective to give depth to these panels.
The preserve the "Gates of Paradise" the doors were replaced by copies in 1990. The copies were created by the Marinelli Foundry. The originals are being restored and maintained in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
A sign next to the doors informs visitors:
Lorenzi Ghiberti
(1425 - 1452)
Copy made in 1990 thanks to the
contribution of Choichiro Motoyama.
Performed by the Marinelli Foundry.
The original preserved in the Museo
dell'Opera del Duomo.
1. Adam and Eve
2. Cain and Abel
3. The drunkenness of Noah
4. Abraham and Isaac
5. Esau and Jacob
6. Joseph sold into slavery
7. Moses and the ten commandments
8. The fall of Jericho
9. David and Goliath
10.Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
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