Ghiberti and the Baptistery Ghiberti and the Baptistery Doors of FlorenceDoors of Florence

By Adam Helus & Daniel SteeleBy Adam Helus & Daniel Steele

Lorenzo GhibertiLorenzo Ghiberti

Early LifeEarly LifeLorenzo Ghiberti was Lorenzo Ghiberti was born in Pelago, near born in Pelago, near Florence.Florence.Began his career as a Began his career as a fresco painter.fresco painter.Lorenzo was still Lorenzo was still unknown at the time.unknown at the time.Ghiberti was Ghiberti was commissioned to make a commissioned to make a set of doors for a set of doors for a baptistery.baptistery.

Krautheimer, Richard and Trude Krautheimer-Hess. Krautheimer, Richard and Trude Krautheimer-Hess. Lorenzo Ghiberti. Lorenzo Ghiberti. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1982. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1982. Daniel SteeleDaniel Steele

FamilyFamily

Ghiberti’s parents seperated at a young Ghiberti’s parents seperated at a young age.age.

This was unusual at the time.This was unusual at the time.

Ghiberti left his family to live with Ghiberti left his family to live with Bartoluccio.Bartoluccio.

He regarded Bartoluccio as his father.He regarded Bartoluccio as his father.

Krautheimer, Richard and Trude Krautheimer-Hess. Krautheimer, Richard and Trude Krautheimer-Hess. Lorenzo Ghiberti. Lorenzo Ghiberti. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1982. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1982. Daniel SteeleDaniel Steele

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Lorenzo’s first work of art was the set of Lorenzo’s first work of art was the set of Bronze Doors.Bronze Doors.

It took him 21 years to finish.It took him 21 years to finish.

After the first set he started on a second After the first set he started on a second pair called “Gates of Paradise.”pair called “Gates of Paradise.”

The “Gates of Paradise,” took 27 years to The “Gates of Paradise,” took 27 years to complete.complete.

Draper, James David. "Bronze Sculpture in the Renaissance". In Draper, James David. "Bronze Sculpture in the Renaissance". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art HistoryHeilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The . New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000 Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000 Daniel SteeleDaniel Steele

Life WorkLife Work

Gates of Paradise Sacrifice of Isaac

North Doors Bronze Doors

Minor WorksMinor Works

Lorenzo crafted glass windows for the Lorenzo crafted glass windows for the Cathedral.Cathedral.

He also made frames for his classical and He also made frames for his classical and native pictures.native pictures.

Ghiberti put porches on the baptistery in Ghiberti put porches on the baptistery in Florence.Florence.

Draper, James David. "Bronze Sculpture in the Renaissance". In Draper, James David. "Bronze Sculpture in the Renaissance". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art HistoryHeilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The . New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000 Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000 Daniel SteeleDaniel Steele

SculpturesSculptures

Lorenzo was also famous Lorenzo was also famous for a few of his for a few of his sculptures.sculptures.

St. John the Baptist is a St. John the Baptist is a bronze statue by Ghiberti bronze statue by Ghiberti located in one of the 14 located in one of the 14 niches of the niches of the Orsanmichele in Orsanmichele in Florence, Italy Florence, Italy

St. John the Baptist

Avery, Charles. Avery, Charles. Florentine Renaissance Sculpture. Florentine Renaissance Sculpture. London, England: John Murray Ltd, 1970. London, England: John Murray Ltd, 1970. Daniel SteeleDaniel Steele

Lorenzo’s Later LifeLorenzo’s Later Life

Lorenzo took pleasure in the art of Lorenzo took pleasure in the art of sculpture and design.sculpture and design.

Many of his sculptures were bronze and Many of his sculptures were bronze and he made them of many of his friends.he made them of many of his friends.

Lorenzo wrote a book, Lorenzo wrote a book, I CommentariiI Commentarii which shed more light on his humanists which shed more light on his humanists interests.interests.

Krautheimer, Richard and Trude Krautheimer-Hess. Krautheimer, Richard and Trude Krautheimer-Hess. Lorenzo Ghiberti. Lorenzo Ghiberti. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1982. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1982. Daniel SteeleDaniel Steele

BerniniBernini

Gian Lorenzo Bernini Gian Lorenzo Bernini Bernini was an Italian artist Bernini was an Italian artist

Possibly the greatest sculptor of the Possibly the greatest sculptor of the 1717thth Century Century

Created the Baroque style of Created the Baroque style of sculpture.sculpture.

Scribner III, Charles. Bernini. Harry N. Abrams, Inc. New York, 1991. Adam HelusScribner III, Charles. Bernini. Harry N. Abrams, Inc. New York, 1991. Adam Helus

Early YearsEarly Years

His career began with his father who His career began with his father who was also a sculptor.was also a sculptor.

Strongly influenced by his study of Strongly influenced by his study of antique Greek and Roman marbles.antique Greek and Roman marbles.

Bernini earned the patronage of Pope Bernini earned the patronage of Pope Paul V.Paul V.

Baldinucci, Filippo. Translated by C. Enggass. Baldinucci, Filippo. Translated by C. Enggass. The Life of BerniniThe Life of Bernini. Pennsylvania State University Press. 1966. Adam Helus. Pennsylvania State University Press. 1966. Adam Helus

FamilyFamily

His father was a talented sculptor of His father was a talented sculptor of the late Mannerist style.the late Mannerist style.

Bernini soon surpassed his father in Bernini soon surpassed his father in excellence.excellence.

His mother was Neapolitan even His mother was Neapolitan even though Bernini himself was Roman.though Bernini himself was Roman.

Baldinucci, Filippo. Translated by C. Enggass. Baldinucci, Filippo. Translated by C. Enggass. The Life of BerniniThe Life of Bernini. Pennsylvania State University Press. 1966 Adam Helus. Pennsylvania State University Press. 1966 Adam Helus

Early WorksEarly Works

Bernini’s early Bernini’s early sculptures sculptures attracted Cardinal attracted Cardinal Borghese.Borghese.

Under his Under his patronage he patronage he carved carved Aeneas, Aeneas, Anchises, and Anchises, and AscaniusAscanius and and Apollo and Daphne.Apollo and Daphne.

Avery, Charles. Avery, Charles. Bernini: Genius of the BaroqueBernini: Genius of the Baroque. Thames & Hudson. 2006. Adam Helus. Thames & Hudson. 2006. Adam Helus

Famous SculpturesFamous Sculptures

Pluto and Persephone

Ecstasy of St. Theresa

David

PaintingsPaintings

Bernini was also a Bernini was also a talented painter.talented painter.

He mainly painted He mainly painted in his youth.in his youth.

Most of his Most of his paintings were paintings were portraits of portraits of important people.important people.

Avery, Charles. Avery, Charles. Bernini: Genius of the BaroqueBernini: Genius of the Baroque. Thames & Hudson. 2006. Adam Helus. Thames & Hudson. 2006. Adam Helus

Later LifeLater Life

His final work was His final work was the the Bust of the Bust of the SaviorSavior. .

Bernini remained Bernini remained an active artist an active artist until his death.until his death.

Bernini died on Bernini died on Nov. 1680 in Rome, Nov. 1680 in Rome, Italy.Italy.

Bust of the Savior

Baldinucci, Filippo. Translated by C. Enggass. Baldinucci, Filippo. Translated by C. Enggass. The Life of BerniniThe Life of Bernini. Pennsylvania State University Press. 1966. Adam Helus. Pennsylvania State University Press. 1966. Adam Helus

Works CitedWorks Cited Draper, James David. "Bronze Sculpture in the Draper, James David. "Bronze Sculpture in the

Renaissance". In Renaissance". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art HistoryHeilbrunn Timeline of Art History. . New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000 New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000

Avery, Charles. Avery, Charles. Florentine Renaissance Sculpture. Florentine Renaissance Sculpture. London, England: John Murray Ltd, 1970. London, England: John Murray Ltd, 1970.

Krautheimer, Richard and Trude Krautheimer-Hess. Krautheimer, Richard and Trude Krautheimer-Hess. Lorenzo Ghiberti. Lorenzo Ghiberti. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1982.Press, 1982.

Scribner III, Charles. Bernini. Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Scribner III, Charles. Bernini. Harry N. Abrams, Inc. New York, 1991.New York, 1991.

Baldinucci, Filippo. Translated by C. Enggass. Baldinucci, Filippo. Translated by C. Enggass. The Life The Life of Berniniof Bernini. Pennsylvania State University Press. 1966.. Pennsylvania State University Press. 1966.

Avery, Charles. Avery, Charles. Bernini: Genius of the BaroqueBernini: Genius of the Baroque. . Thames & Hudson. 2006.Thames & Hudson. 2006.