Baptistery (of San Giovanni)--page 3 (of three pages)

mid 11th century; enlarged in the 12th-13th century with dome and apse built on west side; mosaics in the interior, 13th century; exterior sculptural decoration, 14th to 16th century





Subjects of the tiers:

The uppermost tier (center below) has decorative animal and floral motifs; the next tier down depicts hierarchies of angels--shown below Thrones--with another view of Christ as Alpha and Omega.
 
The tiers continue down with scenes from Genesis with Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and Noah scenes; events from Joseph's life; events from Jesus' life, and the lowest tier with events from John the Baptist's life

Center: top tier with the loading of the ark and the Flood; next tier down: scenes in Joseph's life

 

Events in John the Baptist's life:

Salome's rather insipid dance and the beheading of John; presentation of John's head to Salome
 

Bottom: scenes from the life of John the Baptist; above it: scenes from the life of Jesus; top register: creation scenes


Return to page 1.

See also Baptistery doors by Andrea Pisano.
See also Ghiberti's first set of doors (north doors).
See also Ghiberti's Paradise doors.



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© 2005 Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.

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