Oostelijke deuren van het Baptisterium te Florence before 1888

This is a photographic reproduction of the East Doors of the Florence Baptistery, created by Edizione Brogi. The doors, originally made in the early 15th century by Lorenzo Ghiberti, marked a significant turning point in Renaissance art. Through the use of linear perspective and naturalistic figures, Ghiberti challenged the prevailing Gothic style, creating panels that celebrated humanism and classical ideals. The Baptistery itself was a key religious building in Florence; so to be commissioned to produce its doors was an important indicator of status for an artist. The doors became a potent symbol of Florentine civic pride and artistic achievement. They were even referred to by Michelangelo as the “Gates of Paradise." By studying documents like contracts, artists’ biographies, and guild records, we can uncover the complex social networks and institutional forces that shaped their creation.