Prepare yourself for a huge jump from the Roman and Renaissance eras to the 19th century! The paintings below are from the facade of the duomo, which was erected in the late 19th century.
The cantorie in the museum of the Florence cathedral
For me the highlight of the opera’s collection are the 2 exquisite cantorie by Donatello and Luca della Robbia. Originally a part of the duomo, these beauties are preserved in the museum where they are exhibited up high as they would have appeared in the cathedral. I am in their thrall.
First up, the Donatello:
Now, moving across the room to the Luca della Robbia masterwork:
Dante in Florence
Here’s a quick article of useful information for anyone on the Dante trail:
Museum of the Florence cathedral, part 3
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/
Buongiorno Firenze!
Just outside my apartment door, I am greeted by this lovely view almost daily:
If you are neutral…you are on the side of the oppressor
Floating in mid air
Christ and St. Francis.
Santa Croce, the Franciscan church of the Holy Cross in Florence
Another famous landmark 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. It’s kind of amazing. I love it this way.
I begin my pictorial tour at the west wall of the church, the wall on which the main doors to the church are located.
I’ll end part 1 with a view of this to me very funny poster announcing the secular fraternity of Fransciscans. I love how St. Francis is meeting Christ mid-air.
The Florence cathedral’s art museum
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:
A 2nd visit to the Duomo’s art museum
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.
get back, lauretta! 
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