Historical
and Commemorative Medals
Collection of Benjamin Weiss
CATHEDRAL AT FLORENCE WIENER, Jacques: Italy, 1864, Bronze, 59 mm One of the most recognizable buildings in Italy, the
Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (more commonly called Il Duomo di
Firenze) is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of
Florence. It was begun in the late 13th century and is one of
Italy’s largest cathedrals. As indicated in the exergue, it was designed by
Arnolfo di Lapo (Arnolfo di Cambio). The dome (cuppola), the largest brick
dome ever constructed, was engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi. The exterior
of the basilica is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of
green and pink bordered by white and has an elaborate 19th-century Gothic
Revival façade by Emilio De Fabris. The cathedral complex, located in Piazza del Duomo,
includes the bell tower (campanile) designed by Giotto (Giotto di
Bondone,1266-1337), the Florentine painter and architect, who is considered
the first in a line of great Renaissance artists. The octagonal
baptistery is renowned for its three sets of bronze doors with relief
sculptures by Andrea Pisano and Lorenzo Ghiberti. The east doors were dubbed
by Michelangelo the Gates of Paradise. LINK to photo of Cathedral at Florence as viewed from Piazzale Michelangelo The Last Judgement by Giorgio Vasari and Frederico Zuccari LINK to History and Images of Cathedral at Florence (from wikipedia)
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