The present museum was founded in 1891 and has continued to receive all the works that were removed and continue to be removed (to grant their preservation) from S. Maria del Fiore and from the Baptistery. The collection is therefore the best guide to the several changes that have occurred in Florentine official sculpture originating with the building of the cathedral and extending over the centuries.
The vast majority of sculptures
preserved in the Museum
are those that Arnolfo
had chosen for the facade,
which was only partially
completed while the architect
was still living. The partially
erected façade remained
in this condition until
1587, when the Grand Duke,
following the suggestions
of the architect Bernardo
Buontalenti, decided to
replace it with a more
modern look, in accordance
with the general plans
for the renewal of the
town. Despite the several
projects and competitions
that saw the participation
of famous architexts of
several ages, the façade
was completed only in 1887
by De Fabris, who gave
it a completely different
appearance as compared
to the original project
by Arnolfo. As a result
of this remake, it was
no longer possible to reinstall
the statues that are however
still preserved in the
museum.
In
addition to the sculptures
of Arnolfo, the museum
exhibits also works of
the 14th century removed
from the bell tower and
sculptures by Andrea Pisano
(1290-1349) and by his
pupils and those from the
so-called "Porta
della Mandorla" located
on the left side of the
cathedral. The sculptures
of Nanni di Banco (1380/90-1421)
and of Donatello (1386-1466),
originally made for the
bell tower and the church,
can be considered masterpieces
of the 14th century sculpture,
like the two large "Cantorie" by
Luca della Robbia (1400-1482)
and Donatello removed from
the cathedral' s interior.
Other important works have
been moved to the museum
recently, like the "Magdalene",
a wooden sculpture by Donatello,
originally placed in the
Baptistery and the "Pietà" by
Michelangelo, which was
removed from the cathedral
in 1980.
The
collection also comprises
other 16th and 17th works
by Tuscan artists, which
shows the importance
attributed to the finishing
of Santa Maria del Fiore
over the centuries.
An independant
room exhibits a collection
of working tools and materials,
recovered during the restauration
works of the Cathedral
and the Dome. This manage
to effectively evoke the
commitment and technical
ability of the workers
who collaborated to the
project of Brunelleschi.
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Michelangelo
- Pietà
One
of the later works by Michelangelo,
probably created for his grave. Michelangelo
worked for years but towards the
end
of the work, the statue broke because
the block of marble was defective,
and he let his servant take the pieces.
Later the servant sold them. The new
owner, Tiberio Calcani, had it pieced
back together and probably added the
figure supporting Christ's arm, which
is certainly not by Michelangelo. |
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Michelangelo has portrayed himself
in the face of the figure carrying Christ. |
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Room of Giotto's bell tower
The original reliefs and statues of Giotto's
bell tower |
The reliefs in the lower row of the campanile, depict the creation of man and woman, the beginnings of human work, and the inventors (according to the Bible) of various creative activities: sheep-herding, music, metallurgy, wine-making.
In the upper register are the seven planets, beginning with Jupiter at the north corner. On the other facades, in the lower register we find astrology, building, medicine, weaving and other technical and scientific endeavors.
In the upper registers are: on the south, the theological and cardinal virtues; on the east, the liberal arts of the Trivium and Quadrivium; to the north, the seven sacraments. The statues in the niches represent the patriarchs, prophets and kings of Israel, and pagan sybils. |
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The three doors of the Baptistery of Florence
Left - South door by Andrea Pisano
Center - Door of Paradise by Ghiberti
Right - North door by Lorenzo Ghiberti |
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The statues of the old facade
of the ancient Cathedral (Santa Reparata) |
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The silver altar of the Baptistery of Florence
a masterpiece of the Renaissance
100 years of works, 200 kg of silver
The greatest Florentine goldsmiths worked on this altar
showing the life of Saint John the Baptist.
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The silver altar - detail |
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The silver altar - detail
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The silver altar - detail |
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The original three doors of the Baptistery |
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Room of Pope Bonifacio VIII
Statue by Arnolfo di Cambio |
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The wooden statue of Maria Magdalena by Donatello |
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Room of the Chorus
Left - Chorus by Donatello
Right - Chorus by Luca della Robbia |
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THE DOORS OF THE BAPTISTERY OF FLORENCE |
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The statues above the north door
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PREACHING TO A
PHARISEE AND A LEVITE
According to Vasari Leonardo da Vinci
provides himself in sculpture with
the bronze figure of St. John. These bronze figures were executed
in 1509 by Giovan Francesco Rustici but finished
with Leonardo's advice. |
The statues above the south door
By Vincenzo Danti 1569 - 1571
BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST |
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North door of the Baptistery
By Lorenzo Ghiberti - 1424
HISTORIES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT |
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South door of the Baptistery
By Andrea da
Pontedera (Pisano) - 1336
HISTORIES OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST |
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THE GATE OF PARADISE OF LORENZO GHIBERTI |
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THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST
Andrea Sansovino - 1505
The statues above the door of Paradise
The angel on the left is a later work by Innocenzo Spinazzi - 1792
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The original Gate to Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti - 1452
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1. |
Adam and Eve |
2. |
Cain and Abel |
3. |
The drunkenness of Noah |
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Abraham and Isaac |
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Esau and Jacob |
6. |
Joseph
sold into slavery |
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Moses and the ten commandments |
8. |
The fall of Jericho |
9. |
David and Goliath |
10. |
Solomon and the queen of Sheba |
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THE 10 PANELS OF THE DOOR OF PARADISE |
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Click on thumbnails to enlarge |
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