The Bronze Door
The Bronze Door
The Bronze Door
Audio transcription
The bronze door of San Zeno is one of the most original artefacts of all of the local artistic production. The 48 panels were accomplished by various workers active between the 13th and 14th centuries; although there are some who believe that the oldest section was produced in the 12th century. The current configuration of the bronze portal is the work of the so-called “Third Master,” today unanimously identified as Brioloto, who produced the four panels about the life of St. Zeno, seen at the centre of the right-side door.
The oldest decoration is visible on the left door, with episodes from the New Testament attributed to an artist of German origin, the so-called “First Master.” The more recently completed right door, with episodes from the Old Testament, is attributable to an artist of Italian origin called the “Second Master.” All of this is placed within the context of a border adorned with human heads, which evoke the two large central protomes, one leonine, the other human. The edge of the right door is decorated with six saints in a small shrine, and the figure of a sculptor with chisel in hand (perhaps a self-portrait of Brioloto himself). On the opposite door 17 small panels depict kings, emperors and the Virtues. The chronology and authorship of San Zeno’s door bronzes have long been debated, but all scholars agree on the stylistic originality of the panels, which demonstrate a language that is unique on the national artistic scene of that period, and that possesses a strong impact and evocative power.
These are the subjects of the panels:
The Left Door: from the top and from left to right:
The Annunciation, The Nativity and The Epiphany, The Flight to Egypt,
The Expulsion of the Moneylenders from the Temple, Jesus’ Baptism, the Calling of the Apostles, Jesus Among the Doctors,
The Entry into Jerusalem, The Washing of the Feet, The Last Supper,
The Arrest of Jesus, the Way of the Cross, Jesus before Pilate,
The Flagellation, the Crucifixion, The Marys at the Tomb,
The Descent into Limbo, the Glory of God, the Mask,
The Beheading of John the Baptist, Salome’s Dance, the Feast of Herodias,
Two Mothers, the Expulsion from Eden, Early Works.
The Right Door, from the top, and from left to right:
The Creation and the Temptation of Eve, the Condemnation of Adam and Eve, the Expulsion from Paradise
Cain Kills Abel, the Dove after the Great Flood, Ham’s Curse
The Covenant between God and Abraham, The Promise of Isaac, the Sacrifice of Isaac
Moses and the Tablets of the Law, Moses and Pharaoh, the Bronze Serpent
The Prophet Balaam, The Tree of Jesse, Solomon
The Lion Mask, St. Zeno and the Gallienus Panels, St. Zeno frees the Possessed Girl,
Nebuchadnezzar and the Young Men in the Furnace, St. Zeno Saves the Carter, Gallienus Gives his Crown to St. Zeno The Sacrifice of Isaac, Noah’s Ark, the Archangel Michael
