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<\/a><\/p>\nThe construction of the cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary (Santa Maria Assunta), lasted almost three centuries with the design and style evolving from Romanesque to Gothic as construction progressed. Here is the Wiki description of the many stages of construction of this amazing building: \u201cThe Gothic fa\u00e7ade of the Orvieto Cathedral is one of the great masterpieces of the Late Middle Ages. The three-gable design is attributed to Maitani, who had clearly undergone some influence by the design scheme for the fa\u00e7ade in Tuscan Gothic style of the Siena Cathedral by Giovanni Pisano (1287\u20131297) and the plan for fa\u00e7ade of the Florence Cathedral by Arnolfo di Cambio (1294\u20131302).<\/p>\n
The most exciting and eye-catching part is its golden frontage, which is decorated by large bas-reliefs and statues with the symbols (Angel, Ox, Lion, Eagle) of the Evangelists created by Maitani and collaborators (between 1325 and 1330) standing on the cornice above the sculptured panels on the piers. In 1352 Matteo di Ugolino da Bologna added the bronze Lamb of God above the central gable and the bronze statue of Saint Michael on top of the gable of the left entrance.<\/p>\n
The bas-reliefs on the piers depict biblical stories from the Old and New Testament. They are considered among the most famous of all 14th century sculpture. These marbles from the fourteenth and fifteenth century are the collective and anonymous work of at least three or four masters with assistance of their workshops, It is assumed that Maitani must have worked on the reliefs on the first pier from the left, as work on the reliefs began before 1310. The installation of these marbles on the piers began in 1331. They depict from left to right:<\/p>\n
stories of the Old Testament : Book of Genesis
\n the Tree of Jesse with scenes from the Old Testament with messianic prophesies of Redemption.
\n scenes from the New Testament with below Abraham sleeping : episodes from the lives of Jesus and Mary
\n Last Judgment : Book of Revelation<\/p>\n
Above this decoration are glittering mosaics created between 1350 and 1390 after designs by artist Cesare Nebbia. These original pieces have been replaced and redesigned in the centuries since, particularly in 1484, 1713 and 1842. Most of these mosaic represent major scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, from the \u201cNativity of Mary\u201d in the lower right gable to the \u201cCoronation of the Virgin Mary\u201d in the topmost gable. One of these glassmakers is recorded as Fra Giovanni Leonardelli.<\/p>\n
Central to the mosaics is the large rose window built by the sculptor and architect Orcagna between 1354 and 1380. In the niches above the rose window stand the twelve apostles, while in niches on both sides twelve Old Testament prophets are represented in pairs. Statues in niches is typical for French Gothic cathedrals. It is therefore likely that the sculptors have undergone some influence. Eight statues have been attributed in the records to Nicola de Nuto. The spandrels around the rose window are decorated with mosaics representing the four Doctors of the Church. The frame of the rose window holds 52 carved heads, while the center of the rose window holds a carved head of the Christ.<\/p>\n
The newest part of the decoration are the three bronze doors which give access to the entrance of the cathedral. These were finished in 1970 by the Sicilian sculptor Emilio Greco (1913\u20131995) depicting mercies from the life of Christ and are surmounted by a sculpture of the Madonna and Child created by Andrea Pisano in 1347.<\/p>\n
The cathedral\u2019s side walls, in contrast to the fa\u00e7ade, are more simply furnished with alternating layers of local white travertine and blue-grey basalt stone.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nYou will notice I have not even mentioned the inside of the cathedral or its famous Chapel of the Apocalypse. We will save that for a further post<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On any showing, Orvieto cathedral is one of the most interesting, and unique cathedrals in all the world. In 1290, Pope Nicholas IV laid the cornerstone for the building of this cathedral, originally designed to be a Romanesque basilica, using white marble and black basalt (hence the zebra look on the sides and back of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":6664,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
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