The Florence Baptistery

Want to read the rest of this paper? Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay and over 50,000 other term papers

hung on the east end, but were soon moved to the north side to make room for the final set. These final doors, by Ghiberti, have earned the name “Gates of Paradise.” The name S. Giovanni was given to the baptistery because of the remains of Piazza S Giovanni found beneath the floor in a medieval cemetery. Historians have argued the baptistery’s date for a few hundred years and it is still completely unsure what is it. The first recorded documentation of the baptistery’s existence was March 4th, 897. Many have come to agree that the original constructed was during the 6th and 7th centuries and much of the restoration happened around 1059. Through the years nature’s forces have taken their toll upon the San Giovanni. Several restorations have been made to the exterior and the interior since the 10th century. The most drastic change done would have to be the exterior marble. Around 1293 the corner pilasters were reconstructed with alternating ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays. Write better papers. Get better grades. Already a member? Login

style architecture. Classical architecture was symmetrical, balanced, and harmonious, all of which are seen in the baptistery. The use of pilasters and columns resemble the classical style of the Parthenon. The columns held up the weight of much of the baptistery. These columns made the walls seem lighter. This idea was used in early Christian architecture, but it could be seen in late Roman architecture. The pilaster capitals of the baptistery are carved with acanthus leaves. This idea of sculptured capitals comes form Roman type pilasters. The leaves appear to hang form their own weight. The edges even curl under and they seem to grow outward off of the marble. The ...

Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library. Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports, and research papers in 2 minutes or less.

CITE THIS PAGE: