The competition of 1401 for the commission 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. Then because of the artists involved – Lorenzo Ghiberti and Filippo Brunelleschi – who were two of the major artistic protagonists of Renaissance Florence. Finally, because competition amongst great artists would become one the central leitmotifs of the Italian Renaissance.

This video lecture will explore how each artist brought his own unique vision and style to his work, and why losing sometimes actually means winning.