Original materials and historical clues unveiled
Donatello's pulpit brings its golden leaf back to the surface
Donatello, Pulpito della Ressurezione, c.1453-1466, Basilica di San Lorenzo, Firenze, © OPD
E.B.
23/02/2014
Florence - The Pulpit of the Resurrection executed by Donatello is back in the central nave of the Church of San Lorenzo, after the renovation project begun in July 2010 and completed in October 2013.
The works by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure brought both technical and historical details of the monument back to the surface.
Through an accurate analysis of the materials and the phenomena of deterioration, the bronzes were cleaned, highlighting the areas decorated with golden leaves and those without plating.
Studies related to its dating, which is still uncertain, allowed researchers to narrow down a period between 1453 and 1466, the years when Donatello came back from Padua and died, respectively.
According to some documents, published by scholars Hartt and Corti in 1962, it appears that the master bought 965 pounds of copper and bronze in Florence in 1456, between October 14th and November 10th, plus more than 26.679 pounds of coal, wax and iron. All the necessaries for a big casting, which he and his disciples payed at the Banco dei Cambini.
Instead, one of the plaques, the one depicting the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence, bears the inscription "1465 ADI 16 GIUGNO" carved on its tympanum.
In addition to this, the Pulpit is decorated with other scenes from the Gospel, such as the Marys at the Tomb, Christ in Limbo, the Resurrection, the Ascension and the Pentecost, and has come back to its original location in front of the Pulpit of the Passion, another work of the master still in need of restoration.
The works by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure brought both technical and historical details of the monument back to the surface.
Through an accurate analysis of the materials and the phenomena of deterioration, the bronzes were cleaned, highlighting the areas decorated with golden leaves and those without plating.
Studies related to its dating, which is still uncertain, allowed researchers to narrow down a period between 1453 and 1466, the years when Donatello came back from Padua and died, respectively.
According to some documents, published by scholars Hartt and Corti in 1962, it appears that the master bought 965 pounds of copper and bronze in Florence in 1456, between October 14th and November 10th, plus more than 26.679 pounds of coal, wax and iron. All the necessaries for a big casting, which he and his disciples payed at the Banco dei Cambini.
Instead, one of the plaques, the one depicting the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence, bears the inscription "1465 ADI 16 GIUGNO" carved on its tympanum.
In addition to this, the Pulpit is decorated with other scenes from the Gospel, such as the Marys at the Tomb, Christ in Limbo, the Resurrection, the Ascension and the Pentecost, and has come back to its original location in front of the Pulpit of the Passion, another work of the master still in need of restoration.
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