The Gates of Paradise, (sculpture).

The Gates of Paradise, (sculpture).

Bearzi, Bruno, caster.

Shaknis, Alfred, architect.

Van Bloom, Peter S., architect.

Ghiberti, Lorenzo, ca. 1378-1455, sculptor. (copy after)

The Gates of Paradise, (sculpture).

Dedicated Feb. 21, 1971.

Digital Reference:

Approx. H. 17 ft. x W. 9 ft.

Replica of the east door of Ghiberti's "Gate of Paradise." The bronze door is divided into ten panels, two vertical columns of five panels each. Each panel features a bas-relief scene from the Old Testament. Decorative strips framing the two vertical columns of panels features a bas-relief figure from each scene represented. Between each figure in the frame is a bas-relief head. Six heads and five figures adorn each of the four vertical frames. The horizontal frames at the top and bottom of the door are ornamented with two reclining figures in bas-relief.

The top panel on the left side depicts Creation. In the left foreground, God forms Adam from the dust of the ground. In the right foreground God forms Eve from Adam's rib. In the left background, the serpent tempts Eve and Adam in the garden. On the far right, Adam and Eve are banished from the Garden of Eden. God and his angels hover overhead. The top panel on the right side depicts the story of Cain and Abel. In the left background, Adam and Eve tend their small sons. In the foreground, Cain tills the ground with a team of oxen. Abel sits on a hill with his sheep dog, tending his flock. In the right background, Cain and Abel offer sacrifices to God on a mountain top. In the center right, Cain kills Abel and in the right foreground, Cain is banished.

The second panel down on the left side depicts the story of Noah. Noah, his family and the animals emerge into the sunshine on the right. On the left, Noah lies drunk and is mocked by Ham, then covered by his other sons. The second panel on the right side depicts Abraham. On the left, three angels visit Abraham, while Sarah stands in the doorway of a tent in the distance. Servants sit at the base of the mountain on the right; Abraham is at the top of the mountain, preparing to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on the altar. An angel stays his hand; and a ram is visible in a bush.

The third panel down on the left side depicts the story of Isaac and Jacob. Set in a palace, several attending women wait on Rebekah on the left side. In the center of the scene, Isaac sends Esau out to hunt for venison. On the right side of the scene, Jacob is disguised as Esau and receives Isaac's blessing. Rebekah stands behind Jacob. The third panel down on the right side depicts the story of Joseph in the Egyptian palace where grain is being distributed. Joseph's brothers are grouped on the left, where a sack with the silver cup is displayed.

The fourth panel down on the left side depicts Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God. Moses stands at the top of Mt. Sinai; God hovers overhead with a group of angels. The Israelites are standing in a group at the base of the mountain. The fourth panel down on the right side depicts Joshua crossing the Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant. Twelve tents are pitched to the right of the scene. In the background, the walled city of Jericho is surrounded by trumpeters.

The bottom panel on the left side depicts David slaying Goliath. The giant lies face down and David beheads him with a sword. Armored soldiers are grouped on both sides and a battle scene is depicted in the background. The bottom panel on the right side depicts the Queen of Sheba visiting Solomon. They stand in the center of a palace and are surrounded by attendants and soldiers.

Religion -- Old Testament -- Adam

Religion -- Old Testament -- Eve

Religion -- Old Testament -- Cain

Religion -- Old Testament -- Abel

Religion -- Old Testament -- Noah

Religion -- Old Testament -- Abraham

Religion -- Old Testament -- Sarah

Religion -- Old Testament -- Isaac

Religion -- Old Testament -- Rebecca

Religion -- Old Testament -- Esau

Religion -- Old Testament -- Jacob

Religion -- Old Testament -- Joseph

Religion -- Old Testament -- Moses

Religion -- Old Testament -- Joshua

Religion -- Old Testament -- David

Religion -- Old Testament -- Goliath

Religion -- Old Testament -- Solomon

Religion -- Old Testament -- Queen of Sheba

Outdoor Sculpture -- New York -- Hicksville

Trinity Lutheran Church, 40 West Nicholai Street, Hicksville, New York 11801

The replica of Lorenzo Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise" was produced from molds taken by Bruno Bearzi. The molds were taken from the original east door at the Baptistry of Florence, Italy in the 1940s with the permission of the Italian government. Architects Shaknis and Van Bloom designed Trinity Lutheran Church's extension and entrance to house the door. The door was a gift to the church from George C. Karlson in memory of his wife and son, Katharine M. and Kenneth D. Karlson. IAS files contain copy of related article from Mid Island Times, Jan. 6, 1989; and copy of related booklet "The Gates of Paradise", Hicksville: Trinity Lutheran Church, 1971. IAS files contain copy of related excerpt from Raymond E. Spinzia's "Long Island: a Guide to New York's Suffolk and Nassau Counties", New York: Hippocrene Books, 1991.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New York survey, 1994.

Mid Island Times, Jan. 6, 1989.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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