A rich account of the giant bronze doors created by Florentine sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti--so exquisite that Michelangelo proclaimed them suitable to serve as the Gates of Paradise.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ... DONATELLO. IN" Ghiberti's hands sculpture was fast taking a character not strictly its own, but belonging more to the pictorial art. His successor and rival, Donatello, by his just appreciation of the aims and limits of the plastic art, and by a stern realism, brought it back within the true bounds of sculpture, and gave it new impetus, laying the foundation of that school of earnest, severe art, which culminated in the intense works of Michelangelo "il Terribile." It is difficult to say from whom Donatello had his artistic taste. It was not hereditary, his father being a wool-comber in the parish of S. Pier Gattolini, whose turbulent political opinions had been the cause of his exile to Pisa, and thence to Lucca. He returned to Florence, however, in 1380, and in 1386 his son Donato 1 was born. When quite a child Donatello was taken into the house of the noble family of the Martelli, who had always been lovers and patrons of art. Probably his surroundings here trained his taste, and decided his benefactors on the bias which they should give to his 1 Donato di Betto Bardi was his real name, but he has always been known as Donatello. education. Some say be was a pupil of Bicci di Lorenzo, others that he studied under Ghiberti's father; but nothing is certain except that he assisted Ghiberti himself in casting the bronze gates, and that he formed a close friendship with Brunellesco, which had perhaps more to do in forming the future career of both than any other influence. There was some difference of age between them; Brunellesco was a man of twenty-three, while Donato was a mere impulsive boy of fourteen, very proud of his first work, a crucifix in wood. But alas! when he expected his friend's praise, he only got his derision and...

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A major survey on both the art and decoration of Sta. Maria del Fiore in Florence, and early Renaissance art.