The
Baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in Florence
although it is impossible to exactly determine
the period. In the Middle Ages, it was believed
to be a Roman pagan temple dedicated to Mars.
Its balanced geometrical layout and decorations
in white and green marble from Prato originates
from the harmonious integration of Romaneque and
Paleochristian architecture developed during between
the 11th and 13th centuries.
The external sculptures and basreliefs above the
doors and on the doors themselves are the most
important works ever made in Tuscany. The gilded
bronze doors were made respectively by Andrea
Pisano in 1336 (the door now facing south) and
by Lorenzo Ghiberti in 1427 and in 1452 (the two
doors facing to the north and east). The latter
door is known with the name of Gate of «Paradise»
and represents one of the best artistic results
ever achieved by the artist, who combines the
rhythms of the late Gothic period to a newly learnt
classical language. The original gate has now
been removed for restoration and replaced with
a copy. Some of the restored panels are exhibited
in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
The marble sculptures above the doors were sculptured
by Francesco Rustici (1474-1554) (Preaching of
the Baptist) and Vincenzo Danti (1530-1576) (Beheading
of the Baptist) and by Andrea Sansovino (the Baptism
of Christ, which is a copy, since the original
work will be exhibited in a museum).
In addition to the inlaid floor (end of 12th century
and beginning of 13th century), the interior displays
some large mosaics on the apse and ceiling. All
the mosaics have a gilded background and were
made between 1266 and the beginning of the 14th
century by Byzantine artists from Venice, with
the collaboration of vigorous Tuscans like Meliore,
Coppo di Marcovaldo and above all Cimabue (rec.
1272-1302), the master of Giotto.
Other works of sculpture include the tomb of Giovanni
XXIII, the Anti-Pope died in Florence in 1426
that was designed by Donatello and Michelozzo.
The beautiful and ascetic wooden Magdalene sculptured
by Donatello and originally exhibited in the Baptistery
is currently displayed in the Museo dell’Opera
del Duomo.
|
