May be the most creative rivalry between two goldsmiths in history has been resulted with one of the most magnificient square has ever built. Florence Cathedral (1436) and Gates of Paradise(1452).
Year was 1401. Florence of Tuscony, land of art, architecture and house of artists, had been in competition with Pisa and Siena as Tuscan cities. While Pisa and Siena had been working on new and enormous cathedrals, Florence's cathedral, foundedn in the early 5th century, was not enough anymore to serve to Florence population.
Arnolfo di Cambio was selected to design the new church by city council and he finished his work in 1294. Arnolfo di Cambio was an important artists in his time who left a lot of attractive products like, The sculpture of St. Peter (St. Peter's Basilica), Santa Croce, Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.
The New Church's first stone was placed by cardinal Valeriana, the first papal legate ever sent to Florence (We can see the importance of Florence for Rome here.)in 1296. Cathedral's construction was took 140 years. Many artists and architects were in Project for example may be the starter of Reneissance art Giotto designed the bell tower (1348), but two of them had enriched project as an unique with their genius and rivalry.
Lorenzo Ghiberti (1378) and Filippo Brunelleschi (1377)
While the new cathedral's construction was going on, city council had decided to repair an old baptisery (1128) which is placed in front of cathedral. First of all, the South doors were designed by Andrea Pisano as recommended by Giotto in 1336. After 75 years, in 1401, city council arranged a competition to design North Side doors. Lorenzo Ghiberti, Filippo Brunelleschi and Donatello and 4 more artists were semi finalist. At the time of judging, only Ghiberti and Brunelleschi were finalists, and when the judges could not decide, they were assigned to work together on them. Brunelleschi's pride got in the way, and he went to Rome to study architecture leaving Ghiberti to work on the doors himself. Ghiberti's autobiography, however, claimed that he had won, "without a single dissenting voice." Ghiberti finished his door in 21 years. There were 28 panels which depicts the life of Christ from new testament.
While Ghiberti was working on his doors, there were another competition to design dome of new cathedral. Again favorites were Ghiberti and Brunelleschi, however this time winner was Brunelleschi. When Brunelleschi became ill, or feigned illness, the project was briefly in the hands of Ghiberti. But Ghiberti soon had to admit that the whole project was beyond him. In 1423 Brunelleschi was back in charge and took over sole responsibility.
In 1425, Ghiberti was now widely recognized as a celebrity and the top artist in the field even in Rome. So he was appointed again by city council to design east doors of baptisery.
Dome was completed in 1436, It was the first 'octagonal' dome in history to be built without a temporary wooden supporting frame, the Roman Pantheon, a circular dome, was built in 117–128 AD with support structures. It was one of the most impressive and unique projects of the Renaissance. With its 42 meters diameter it is the 14th largest dome in the World while first 12 domes were built after 1900's with modern techniques. If we do not count them it is the second largest dome which comes after Pantheon. Largest brick and mortar dome in the world till present.
Brunelleschi's dome had been seen like, it is the end of rivalary however in 1452, Ghiberti finished eastern doors after a 27 years workings, this time there were 10 panels and they were about old testament. Doors were perfect and it is easy to describe them with words of another great artist (may be the greatest of all time).
“Gates of Paradise” Michelangelo.
As a result of rivalry, they both won one competition and they both left us several magnificient products, includes Gates of Paradise and the largest brick Dome.
