GHIBERTI AND SON Photo

Photographer’s Note

GHIBERTI AND SON

During the first half of the 15th century the art patrons of Florence — Church leaders, wealthy private families, and the mercantile guilds — all offered commissions to have the city’s artists create beautifying works for the city. The Baptistery for the Duomo needed a set of doors for its northern façade. The finalists were narrowed down to Lorenzo Ghiberti and Filippo Brunelleschi, with Ghiberti edging out Brunelleschi. Ghiberti cast the northern doors— not the ones seen— between 1403-1424 in bronze.

Meanwhile, for consolation, Brunelleschi traveled to Rome where he stayed 13 years. While in Rome he formulated the ideas for linear perspective that would become one of the most important artistic techniques for depicting reality in paintings, projecting three dimensions onto two. He also found inspiration in the Pantheon in Rome, and on returning to Florence, proposed a dome for the Duomo. (This time he edged out Ghiberti who had also submitted a design for the dome.) Brunelleschi of course would go on to create the wondrous dome of the Duomo.

About the same time a commission for a set of doors for the Eastern façade of the Baptistery was announced. Ghiberti would win this prize, then toil for the next twenty-seven years (1425-1452) to carve and cast in bronze the doors seen in this photograph. These doors were so beautiful that Michelangelo, in first seeing them half a century later, called them the “Gates of Paradise,” an appellation that became permanent. Ten square gilded panels adorn the two doors, four of them just visible in the corners of the photograph. In the areas between the panels, Lorenzo Ghiberti created a self-portrait of himself and a portrait of his son, Vittorio. These are the two heads appearing to peer out from a pair of porthole-like circular frames.

Nikon D70, 18-70 mm Nikkor lens. ISO 200. Originally shot at 3008x2000 MB

isabela_sor, Wandering_Dan, MLINES, maltese, marjan, levocan, meltemi, daddo, Morac, wilkinsonsg, jonathan_hart, stelli, Didi, Photo65Net, Leo71538, PaulVDV, stego, gunbud, jhm, salvator, bostankorkulugu, ChrisJ, AiresSantos, riclopes, Silversnow, paololg, Graal, kermit350, dip, evanrizo, Henryk_Bilor, TopGeo, azaf1, Silvio1953, zeynepe, alvaraalto, Mediterranean, JCG, keribar, ribeiroantonio, skippy007, Charo, Bluejeans, adores, axiotea, niphredil76, patshoo, Emile, Tue, emjleclercq, kdialyna, pandoraTE, Buin has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

siolaw (25734) 2008-05-31 22:07

Hello Bulent, my neighbor today!
I like the way you got close and shot this interesting architectural detail... Color tones and exposure, as well as sharpness are spot on. A good note too!
Best regards
Laurent

isabela_sor (42162) 2008-05-31 22:15 [Comment]

Show Comment

Wandering_Dan (3225) 2008-05-31 22:33

Hello, Bulent -

Another door! And at this hour, too!

An interesting mix of colors, gilt over wood, it looks like. Good DOF for such a close shot (a touch soft in places).

I am reminded of Rodin's Gates of Hell - not for the subject matter, of course, but for the ornate three-dimensional construction - and even more so after reading your excellent note.

Best,
Dan

MLINES (10884) 2008-05-31 22:46

Hi Bulent. This has to be a unique door. Most interesting to see this composition which is from the ideal angle. Most interesting notes as always. TFS. Murray.

maltese (21535) 2008-05-31 23:02

Hello Bulent
Une excellente note pour accompagner ce très beau détail de la porte. Une grande œuvre de sculpture mais un très bon travail de photographe pour lui rendre hommage!!
Amicalement
hervé

marjan (6081) 2008-05-31 23:10

hi Bulant, like always you show us how good photograph must look like. Fantastic detail from the dor. I have some part of it , but not this one.
Excellent and useful notice.
Marjan

danasam (1057) 2008-06-01 0:03

Hi Bulent, Very good capture excellent POV with interesting note :) best regards.
Sam.

daddo (11363) 2008-06-01 0:46

Merhaba Bulent Bey. Forever together, father and son, looking down at the foibles of men. Clever move to focus on these two, especially since there is so much to see in those ten panels.Most informative note- as usual. I love the light in this photo. Selamlar. Klaudio.

Morac (20421) 2008-06-01 1:25

Hello Bulent,

When somebody carries out a also remarkable door I think that it is allowed to him to put his portrait and that of his/her son.

Thus as these doors they will cross the centuries and the years and it is justified.
Best regards
Marc

atilgone (4749) 2008-06-01 1:31

Merhaba Sevgili Bülent Bey,

Çok güzel bir kadraj. detaylar çok canlı. elinize sağlık.

Kars'tan sevgiler
atılgan

wilkinsonsg (8646) 2008-06-01 2:47

I like the POV, clear and sharp too :)

jonathan_hart (22576) 2008-06-01 3:21

interesting note, it's not just a photo of a detail, it's as if i visited this place and you were the guide who explained the presence of the two heads we see here, TFS
regards
jo

stelli (2941) 2008-06-01 3:25

Great art as it is your picture too! Wonderful details and very good sharpness! Thank you for sharing! Regards Stella

pablominto (40712) 2008-06-01 3:27

Hello Bulent,

I like the point of view to add diagonals, and the angle of light makes the reliefs stand out well!
Well framed with sharp fine details, colours are well reproduced...
This is a great presentation of one of the more impressive doors I have seen!

Greetings,
Pablo -

sacavem (8265) 2008-06-01 4:41

Olá Bulent,

Super detail of this great door, Florence is replete of beautiful architecture.Excellent composition, very nice colours, and sharpness.
Regards,
Filipe

kandaras (256) 2008-06-01 7:03

Muthis komposizyon, canli renklerin kadraja uyumu cok hos
tebrikler..

Didi (36090) 2008-06-01 7:40

Salam aleikum Bulent
Very attractive golden composition; the subject is very original and the view angle is well choosen to show this gate.
Well done.
Best regards.

cherryripe (18973) 2008-06-01 8:42

Hi Bulent
Good idea closing in on this door to create an almost graphic shot. The composition is very balanced and I like the contrast between the gold and dark wood.
Regards
Nikki

Photo65Net (43084) 2008-06-01 8:47

Bulent,
Superb one !
I like this tight framing on the golden details, and the way you composed it s attractive.
Great informative note too.
Regards,
JB.

anokutan (7617) 2008-06-01 10:26

Bülent Bey merhaba,
Kadrajı çok beğendim.Sarı ile yeşilin zıtlığı da çok güzel.Detayla da resminizi güzelleştirmiş.Selam ve sevgilerimle.

jimkilgallon (0) 2008-06-01 10:46

Hello Bulent

Yes I remember these doors on the Duomo. Very good close up and there are alway lots of people taking pictures so you did well. Very good sharpness and highlight detail.
Regards
Jim

carper (64878) 2008-06-01 10:58

well a marvelous close up my friend,
fantastic golden doors with fine details and very good structure, good sharp and fine composition to look at, and yes the note made it perfect, good trekeath job Bulent, have a fine day.
gr. jaap

delic (6735) 2008-06-01 11:06

This famous door of the Baptistery is always crowded with tourists who want to take a closer look. I have always wondered about how one would create an interesting photo of it, and your close-up portrait of the two heads offers a fine solution. Regards,
Hakan

Leo71538 (438) 2008-06-01 11:45

Great shot! I'm really attracted by the details of these works. They've survived well through history.
Greetings,
Akbar

PaulVDV (5190) 2008-06-01 13:39

Hello Bulent,
A great picture of a most impressive door.
Thanks for the information.
Very good sharpness and detail in the picture.
Regards, Paul

r021251 (3917) 2008-06-01 19:41

Good details and super the concept
bravo Réal.

gunbud (27879) 2008-06-01 21:11

Hi Bulent,
What a intricely designed beautiful door you have capture here. The sharp golden detailed door contrast brilliantly with the green wooden trim. Such great crafsmanship seen in beautiful light. Excellent historic note.
Regards, Tom

emka (21466) 2008-06-01 23:35

Hi Bulent,

great shot of the detail of the famous door. Interesting framing. Real gate to paradise. regards

Malgorzata

salvator (18815) 2008-06-02 2:14

Hello Bulent Bey,
Superb clarity, wonderful sharpness and details. It is very impressive and backed by wonderful notes that I devoured.
Best personal regards. Salvator.

jhm (82545) 2008-06-02 2:53

Hello friend Bulent,

A door but not so but a door, the both heads are very perfect, and with a great art work represented.
Also the scene around the the heads are absolutely nice for look it.
You make here a perfect image with great quality and sharpness.
Religion in all his form had a free great wealth in the old time, now can this almost not more.
I am glad that you again show a picture with a form of art, and again write a excellent note, I learn with pleasure through your good work.
Very well done.

Warmest regards,
John.

bostankorkulugu (33582) 2008-06-02 4:34

yine hoş bir detay fotoğrafı... yine bilgi dolu bir not... baba oğulun kafaları kapı tokmağı olsa gerek... enteresan bir seçim... elinize sağlık profesör...

selamlar

korkut

ChrisJ (70231) 2008-06-02 6:12

Hi Bulent

Good repetition of the verticals with a striking 3d effect of the protruding gold heads. Tfs!

chpp (3980) 2008-06-02 6:48

Hi Bulent
we like to take similar shots, only that you always do it right! :)
I like the details and how you managed the shadows in the "faces"
very nice job
cheers
C

tetixxx (1921) 2008-06-02 9:12

merhaba,
güzel bir ayrıntıyı yakalamışsınız..işlemeler ve küçük heykeller harika görünüyor..ellerinize sağlık..
selamlar...said

BWJ (1773) 2008-06-02 21:21

Hello Bulent,
The strong contrasting colors and sharpness in your picture are striking and the balance between the bold lines, angles, and the three dimensional carvings make a superb composition. What an excellent note to explain the photo.
Betty

AiresSantos (42120) 2008-06-03 2:22

Hi Bulent,
Amazing details in this wonderful doors. I like your note and the POV. Very good colours and exposure
TFs and have a nice day
Aires

jasmis (50402) 2008-06-03 2:41

Great presentation and really interesting story told here.

Regards!

riclopes (33001) 2008-06-03 3:28

Olá Bulent, superb detail of the "Gates of Paradise". The details are so sharp and clear that the figures seem alive. Very good framing as well, taking good advantage of the dark frames that make the golden busts stand out beautifully.
Warm regards,
ricardo

yedirenk (7361) 2008-06-03 5:27

Merhaba Bülent bey,
Işık,detaylar ve netlik olağanüstü görünüyor.renk uyumu da enfes.altın rengi de gözalıcı.emeğinize sağlık.selamlar

Cevdet

Silversnow (2119) 2008-06-03 8:59

Very interesting note, and the architectural detail is very special, well lighted, and I love the grain in the wood & golden sculptures.

stego (22352) 2008-06-03 9:29

Hello Bülent,
Indeed an amazing artwork, that carved bronzes, which you captured wonderfully. The shine of sunlight contributes much for the image being more attractive; it's remarkable how you managed to avoid almost completely any trace of OE.
TFS for the photo and for the educative note. I learn a lot of History in general and Art History in particular from your notes.
Regards, José.

pitzimba (382) 2008-06-03 11:51

I see your photo as you told me ... very good!
I like it very much for the composition and otherness.
The dimension, too is better than mine... ;-)
Bye and thanks for advice.

Silvia

paololg (13761) 2008-06-03 15:32

Yes, dear friend,
your way of photographing is unique. Your sensibilities to the art and your photographic cleverness build some images of rare beauty as this your last. Sincere compliments.
Ciao
Paolo.

jmcl (13809) 2008-06-03 15:33

Hi Bulent,

Intriguing place .. beautiful colors .. the heads are wonderful .. my favorite part of the image is the effect of you chosen angle . thoughtful and intriguing image. take care, John

Graal (57941) 2008-06-03 23:42

Hi Bulent,
unusual details and sculptures, an interesting informations about family Ghiberti. Well done photo.
Gr., Aleksander

Cretense (56136) 2008-06-04 3:19

Hi Bulent!

Amazing and shining piece of artwork! You have framed it perfectly and the composition is very well "studied". Nice, angle that gives a 3-D feeling and perfect light managment (both in terms of exposure and White Balance). Congratulations!

Warm regards,
Hercules

WepWaWet (3955) 2008-06-04 4:40

Merhaba Bulent Bey,
Kapidaki mimari detaylari cok guzel yakalamissiniz. Netlik ve renkler ile renk tonlari muthis. Ozellikle de Mukemmel bir acidan cekmissiniz.
Selamlar,
Seref

kermit350 (8988) 2008-06-04 7:54

Merhaba Bulent, Cheer with this close-up, the colour green-gilded which recovers bronze are more luminous, c' is impressive as a detail as they is two head in relief arrives has to give as much life to an image , arkadasça selamlar ..........Merhaba Bulent, Bravo avec ce gros plan, les teinte vert-dorées qui recouvre le bronze sont des plus lumineuse,
c'est impressionnant comme un détail comme c’est deux tête en relief arrive a donner autant de vie à une image , arkadasça selamlar

dip (12584) 2008-06-04 9:03

Hello Bulent,
beautiful image with good clarity and sharpness,
the colors are natural and the lighting very good,
interesting details and informative note!
Regards from Germany,
Dimitris.

evanrizo (456) 2008-06-04 9:20

Hi Bulent, very very good seen and captured from this POV gives me a nice 3d effect.
The details are very good to see.
Best regards.
Evangelos

Henryk_Bilor (20365) 2008-06-04 10:50

Hi Bulent
I like to read such an interesting note, next I saw father and son - that was a great idea by the artist. Good capture, although there is always problem of choosing where to cut edges...:)
Regards

KemaLMerT (11164) 2008-06-04 12:43

Merhaba,
detaylar ve kompozisyon, çok hoş.
Kutlarım.
Selamlar, sevgiler.

TopGeo (21797) 2008-06-05 1:00

Hello Bullent!You very instructively gave the beautiful note! full stop artwork and emphasis( in history) . Your subject beautifully given and the picture with clarity and accent impress the important and interesting entry. I praise you. To you said me him that you will go through from Volos?
Georgios

setenay (7604) 2008-06-05 2:36

Merhaba Bülent Bey,
Rönesansın en görkemli şehri Floransadaki vaftizhanenin kapısını canlı gördüğümde bile bukadar detaylı ve net gördüğümü hatırlamıyorum. Ghiberti lerin sonsuza dek ziyaretçileri selamlamasını harika göstermişsiniz.Tebrik ederim,Elinize emeğinize sağlık.Selam ve saygılarımı sunuyorum
setenay

PS.Bülent Bey,vakit bulup sondan 3. kareme bakabilirseniz mutlu olurum,işlerinizin yoğunluğunda TE.e bakabilmeniz mucize olmalı.saygılarımla
setenay

Silvio1953 (41761) 2008-06-05 11:05

Hi Bulent, splendid detail of great artwork, beautiful colors and superb sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Angshu (33645) 2008-06-06 0:39

Hello Professor ‘A’
I do remember this door vividly after having seen it 13 years ago. The details of the work on the gates are simply amazing! Good picture taken at an angle, giving prominence to the two busts of Ghiberti & Vittorio as if they look out to the outside world trying to gauge how the people react to their magnificent work! As always your note is a treasure.
With Warmest Regards
Angshuman

azaf1 (15541) 2008-06-06 2:02

Good evening Bulent
This is really beautiful detail of the door. I like the sharp details the play of the two color tones and the cloze up with the beautiful details. The note is very informative, as usual
Have a great day
TFS
Argiris

zeynepe (9342) 2008-06-06 2:52

Merhaba Bülent Bey,
Detaylarıyla ve notunuzla muhteşem bir kare.
Tebrikler,
Zeynep

aadilj (17950) 2008-06-07 2:01

I dont know what to like more in this one and what not to like. The colours, the reflections, the lustre and the way you have compsoed them all are all effective and expert

Tobias__Ortmann (2589) 2008-06-07 3:36

Hi bulent actually a simple shot
but very good idea
great sharpneess and contrast
I really like that
well done
Toba

alvaraalto (5231) 2008-06-07 14:13

Hi Bulent,

Attractive presentation of these two golden heads. I like your POV from beside.
It makes the image more vivid.

Groet Rob

UnTrained (0) 2008-06-08 2:35

Hi Bulent,
wonderful detail capture from an well chosen POV with a typical well describing note. Together again a good contribution to TE in knowledge and art. Any hint for a scaling as doors could have different heights and we only see a part?
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

Mediterranean (854) 2008-06-09 7:45

selam sevgili profesor
floransa katedralinin o görkemli kapısından
harika bir detay çalışmasını paylaşmışsınız,
gerçekten büyüleyiciydi ve ben de onlarca fotografını çekmiştim
paylaşmak konusunda fikir verdiniz bana
not da çok bilgilendirici...
elinize sağlık
sevgiler

tober (3952) 2008-06-09 9:17

Merhaba Sayın Hocam, bilerek gezmek her zaman bir başka oluyor. Bu yer özellikle Floransa gibi tarih ve sanatın iç içe olduğu bir kent ise. Notunuzda belirtmiş olduğunuz bilgilerin çoğuna önceden vakıf olmadığımdan, o mekânı ben dolaşsaydım fotoğraftaki gibi ayrıntıları görmeden geçip gidebilirdim. Ama sizin her fotoğrafınız ayrı bir belgesel, ayrı bir bilgi deryası... Çok saygılar, Tolga

JCG (25331) 2008-06-09 11:36

Hi Bülent,

It is necessary to better be two to engage a conversation !!! Closed-up interesting on this detail of the door. The quality of the image enables us to appreciate this beautiful work of sculpture, of an extraordinary smoothness. I like much the lights which gives a very appreciable relief. Beautiful glance Bülent, cheer and thank you for the always interesting note.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

keribar (42748) 2008-06-10 21:41

Hello Bulent,
You really know what is appealing and what gives good results and flatters the eye. I am happy to see this Ghiberti door and learn a lot from your notes,
Excellent * Izzet

ribeiroantonio (21917) 2008-06-13 22:35

They are really beautiful and very original. By the way, the entire door looks beautiful. I would like to see a full view of the door. Well done.
Antonio

skippy007 (7053) 2008-06-18 20:07

Hello Bulent, A work of art & 27 years in the making. I like your composition here & in particular the way you have focused on the double portrait. Excellent colour & light. Thank you for the History lesson, a very interesting & informative note.
Regards
Santo

meltemi (9746) 2008-06-22 1:59

Hello Dear Bulent,
very nice lighting in this photo, giving a vivid rendition of the colors and the details in this door. The framing is nice with the emphasis on the two heads detail, but well balancing with the surrounding elements of the door. Well seen and a very useful note as always.
Warm Regards.
Stella

Charo (31671) 2008-06-23 12:32

Hello Bulent,
A very singular capture of this famous door. The details, light and colors are magnificent. Good work.
Cordialmente
Charo

adores (15527) 2008-06-24 16:40

Hi Bulent!
Seems not only the faces, but also the details around them are different. It must be really a fantastic work. I like this composition and the light. Very good note also.

Bluejeans (32293) 2008-06-25 5:35

Ola amigo ,
Que fantásticos detalhes nestas duas portas são verdadeiras obras de arte , bom contraste e bonitas cores, parabéns!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

axiotea (16107) 2008-06-25 14:33

Hello Bulent
A complete and informative note which was necessary to read to understand who was Ghiberti(was his son involved in this artwork?)...and you did well in displaying those details with the two carved heads, giving us an idea of the creator's appearance. I like the contrast between the golden tones and the green wooden frames.
Cheers
Marilyn

patshoo (944) 2008-06-27 21:15

Impressive art piece,Beautiful scene came from Highly sharpness and Good composition,Well prepare story too,Don't forget to travel to Thailand if you have a chance;-).Good work,TFS.

Emile (19977) 2008-06-28 21:14

Hola Bulent.
Very well captured giving us a wonderful diagonal view of such piece of art, very good details and nice contrast between the golden tones and blue colors of the marvelous door. Great clarity and frame. Again your note is a magnificent lecture.
Well done. TFS.
Best regards.

Tue (25608) 2008-06-30 1:55

Hi Bulent,
An excellent close-up photo of the artwork on these doors. The quality and sharpness is excellent and the light really enhances the golden sculptures. The golden parts are also nicely brought out by the dark frames. Very good photo work, thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

emjleclercq (14292) 2008-07-03 15:15

A very nice close up of the baptistery doors. I remember the place, although there wer so many tourist at the time that it was difficult to fully enjoy these delicate sculptures.

All the best,

Emmanuel

kdialyna (3068) 2008-07-06 2:41

Like from a Harry Potter's film, where different things become alive and make strange things.
The same way, here the doorknobs looks like if they are ready to jump alive out of the door.
Excellent use of the existing light gave the best results from the doors details making everything to look anaglyph like real.
Very impressive work my friend.
My warm regards from a very high heat country (40 C).
Kostas

pandoraTE (2317) 2008-07-10 11:44

Merhaba Bülent Bey,
Galerinizde çok güzel fotoğraflarınız var, iyi bir TE takipçisi olmadığım için farketmemişim:(.
Detay fotoğraflarını çok severim, gerçekte de detaycı olduğumdan galiba. Buna da bayıldım, harika detaylar ve renk. Elinize sağlık.
Selamlar

Buin (37656) 2008-07-18 0:24

Hallo Bulent!
I've had a walk in your collection again and this one caught my eyes, because the POV and the detail here are very inventive and the shown artwork is excellent. A truly not everyday picture. Thank you for the great note too!
Greetings from rainy and cool Germany!
Frank

danyy (68778) 2008-07-19 14:48

Bonjour Bulent,
photo très détaillée, dûe à la conjonction de qualités telles que l'exposition parfaite qui donne de bons contrastes et lma netteté, résultant d'une mise au point précise.
Les verticales découpent bien la photo.
Amicalement.
Daniel.