Episode 1: The Competition Panels by Ghiberti and Brunelleschi
Italian Masterpieces Rebuilding the Renaissance
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12m
The competition of 1401 for the contract for a set of bronze doors for Florence Baptistery is generally considered the event that kicked off the Renaissance. Firstly, because of the date of the competition, which coincides with the chronological beginnings of the Renaissance. Secondly, because of the artists involved – Lorenzo Ghiberti and Filippo Brunelleschi – who were two of the greatest of the Renaissance. Finally, because competition amongst great artists would become one the central leitmotifs of the Italian Renaissance. This lecture will explore how each artist brought his own unique vision and style to his work, and why sometimes losing actually means winning.
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Episode 2: Brunelleschi and the Dome ...
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Episode 3: Gates of Paradise by Loren...
Often described as the most beautiful and famous doors on the planet, the Gates of Paradise took nearly a full generation for their artist, Lorenzo Ghiberti, to complete. The ten richly- decorated-gilded-bronze panels depict Old Testament subject matter like pages from a picture book. This lectur...
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Episode 4: Holy Trinity by Masaccio
Although not as highly publicized as many other more famous paintings, the Holy Trinity by Masaccio might just be the most important painting in Florence, and is certainly one of the most important of all time. The reason is that it is the first painting ever, in the entire history of art, to app...
