Scenes relating to the Last JudgmentJust as the Baptistery itself signals a new life with the adoption of the Christian faith, the dome reminds the viewer that eventually there is bodily death with Christ's judgment at the end. The three lower zones of the dome mosaic on three faces of the octagon focus on scenes of judgment with the lower register on the left (Christ's right) indicating salvation while the scenes on the right (Christ's left or "sinister" side) depicting Hell. Below the angels trumpet the last judgment. | ||
Below Christ's feet the dead rising from their sepulchres | ||
Christ's left: HellThe central horned demon (left image), large because he is important, has dragon heads growing from his ears. Various tortures are depicted. | ||
The blessed on Christ's rightThe image below depicts the souls of the Righteous in the laps of Old Testament Patriarchs--Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. See this depiction in medieval sculpture as well. |
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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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