The extraordinary riches in this museum require many posts! Here is part 3 of my recent visit.
The next 2 labels deal with the custom of collecting relics some of the ones preserved in Florence:
Now on to the amazing bell tower in the duomo complex.
For more of these relief sculptures that form the program on the bell tower, see my earlier post:https://laurettadimmick.com/2020/05/25/charmed-by-the-late-medieval-carvings-at-the-museo-dellopera-di-duomo-firenze/
Just outside my apartment door, I am greeted by this lovely view almost daily:
Christ and St. Francis.
Another famous monument opened in Florence this week and you can bet I was one one the first people through the door. And, I have another visit planned for this coming weekend.
Let’s just start an overview of the many works of wonder in this magnificent site.
First of all, check out the city square without the usual mob of tourists. Isn’t it heavenly?!
I begin my pictorial tour at the west wall of the church, just by the current entrance through the left hand side portal of the facade.
I’ll end part 1 with a view of this very funny (to me) poster announcing the secular fraternity of Fransciscans. I love how St. Francis is meeting Christ mid-air.
More artworks from my continuing visits of the art museum last week. First up, some Roman art that was to be found in Florence during the Renaissance. Always a source and inspiration for new artists.
Michelangelo’s late Pieta is now undergoing restoration in the museum:
Some Medieval paintings in the museum:
San Zanobi:
3 of Florence’s special saints: Reparata, San Zanobi, and St. John the Baptist:
One of Donatello’s masterpieces: the Mary Magdalene:
There is a lot to absorb in this incredibly rich museum and I decided to take it in chunks this week. After two great visits, I still need to go back to take in more. Soon.
An elegant, Gothic period, sculptural pas de deux of The Annunciation. It has always been my favorite episode represented in Christian art.
The museum has ingeniously set up the famous bronze doors of the Baptistery so that both the front and back sides can be viewed.
Entering the room that sets up the original, 15th century appearance of the duomo’s facade. Such an impressive feat for a museum.
Great museum labeling provides context. Below, it is explained how the area between the baptistery and the facade of a church was traditionally called a “paradise.” Therefore, Ghiberti’s “Doors of Paradise” so-named by Michelangelo, can be understood in situ.
Below, Pope Boniface VIII by Arnolfo di Cambio, the duomo’s architect.
A reconstruction of the facade:
A plan of the facade:
And now, the second set of doors, for the north side of the Baptistery by Ghiberti:
Above and below, the Annunciation by Ghiberti:
The Gates of Paradise by Ghiberti:
Above you see Ghiberti’s self-portrait in the bust that extend:
The doors by Andrea Pisano for south side of the Baptistery. There were the first of the 3 sets to be done.
A view of the 3 sets of doors as displayed in the museum.
Slowly, institution by institution, Florence is reopening. This past week the entire duomo complex reopened and I visited each building, one by one on consecutive days. Some, I revisited more than once. It was wonderful to feed my eyes and mind again. They were starved.
