DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51584#0090
86 EARLY ITALIAN PAINTERS.
representing in rich sculpture the various events of
the life of St. John the Baptist.* To equal or sur-
pass this beautiful gate, which had been for half a
century the admiration of all Italy, was the object
proposed, and no expense was to be spared in its
attainment.
The Signoria, or members of the chief govern-
ment, acting in conjunction with the Consoli,
made known their munificent resolve through all
Italy, and in consequence, not only the best artists
of Florence, but many from other cities, particu-
larly Siena and Bologna, assembled on this occa-
sion. From among a great number, seven were
selected by the Consoli as worthy to compete for
the work, upon terms not merely just, but muni-
ficent. Each competitor received, besides his ex-
penses, a fair indemnity for his labour for one year.
The subject proposed was the Sacrifice of Isaac,
and at the end of the year each artist was required
to give in a design, executed in bronze, of the
same size as one of the compartments of the old
gate, that is, about two feet square.
There were thirty-four judges, principally artists,
some natives of Florence, others strangers; each
* A Baptistery, as its name imports, is an edifice used for
the purposes of baptism, and always dedicated to St.John
the Baptist. The Baptistery of San Giovanni at Florence
is a large chapel of an octangular form, surmounted by a
dome : on three of the sides are entrances. It is an appen-
dage of the cathedral, though separate from it.
representing in rich sculpture the various events of
the life of St. John the Baptist.* To equal or sur-
pass this beautiful gate, which had been for half a
century the admiration of all Italy, was the object
proposed, and no expense was to be spared in its
attainment.
The Signoria, or members of the chief govern-
ment, acting in conjunction with the Consoli,
made known their munificent resolve through all
Italy, and in consequence, not only the best artists
of Florence, but many from other cities, particu-
larly Siena and Bologna, assembled on this occa-
sion. From among a great number, seven were
selected by the Consoli as worthy to compete for
the work, upon terms not merely just, but muni-
ficent. Each competitor received, besides his ex-
penses, a fair indemnity for his labour for one year.
The subject proposed was the Sacrifice of Isaac,
and at the end of the year each artist was required
to give in a design, executed in bronze, of the
same size as one of the compartments of the old
gate, that is, about two feet square.
There were thirty-four judges, principally artists,
some natives of Florence, others strangers; each
* A Baptistery, as its name imports, is an edifice used for
the purposes of baptism, and always dedicated to St.John
the Baptist. The Baptistery of San Giovanni at Florence
is a large chapel of an octangular form, surmounted by a
dome : on three of the sides are entrances. It is an appen-
dage of the cathedral, though separate from it.