"Gates of Paradise" and the Florentine Baptistery
Title
"Gates of Paradise" and the Florentine Baptistery
Creator
Description
The author suggests that the iconography for the Ghiberti’s second door should be interpreted as an ascension to Heaven. That is because the term “Gates of Paradise” does not derive from Michelangelo’s praise, but rather from an ancient tradition: the east threshold of a baptistery symbolises the entrance to the Christian life, and therefore to Paradise. Taking this into account, even the previous doors for the Florentine Baptistery, the mosaic inside and Donatello’s Maddalena wooden statue should be re-interpreted.
Date
1978
Relation
in The art bullettin, vol. 60, n. 2, pagg. 36-44
Type
Article
Language
English