Baptistery of San Giovanni (St. John)
Florence, Italy
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Companion page: Exterior Photos |
The practice of building separate, self-contained baptisteries had already been abandoned in other countries, and its retention in Italy further illustrates the affinity with Late Classical and Early Christian traditions. (The baptisteries at Pisa, Cremona and Parma are of even later construction.)
The interior is covered with white and green marbles as is the outside.Mosaics: The cupola (dome) is a marvel of Venetian mosaic of the 13th century. They show the Celestial Hierarchies, scenes from the Old Testament, and the Last Judgment
The octagonal interior is divided vertically by the Corinthian columns below and a two light mullioned women's gallery in the part under the dome.
The floor is inlaid and engraved.
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Women's gallery |
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Roman arches supported by columns with Ionic capitals |
The baptismal font is the work of a Pisan sculptor (1371) |
Marble sculpture illustrating the baptism of Christ by St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the Baptistery |
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Note the Corinthian engaged columns and pilasters |
Dome |
In the center is the large, solemn figure of Christ at Judgment Day - a typical Byzantine design |
Celestial Hierarchies, scenes from the Old Testament, and the Last Judgment |
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Mosaic floor - the signs of the zodiac and designs inspired by oriental textiles(13th century) |
Sources:
- "Gardner's Art Through the Ages, Tenth Edition," by Richard G. Tansey and Fred S. Kleiner. Harcourt Brace College Pub.1996
- Sandro Chierichetti, "Florence."
