Brunelleschi vs . Ghiberti : The Rivalry That Sparked the Renaissance
Brunelleschi vs . Ghiberti : The Rivalry That Sparked the Renaissance
Hoguet Prize History Essay by Gates C .
A simple rivalry among men arguably led to the greatest and most influential a chievements o f t he I talian R enaissance . O ne d ay d uring t he winter of 1401 , in the heart of Florence , a fierce competition took place for the design of the East Doors of the Baptistry of Saint John . Lorenzo Ghiberti and Filippo Brunelleschi were both young , skilled , and self-driven , and the two would go head-to-head in showcasing their creativity and craftsmanship to the people of Florence . Unknowingly , this competition would spark one of the most innovative and revolutionary art and architectural movements of all time . The rivalry between Brunelleschi and Ghiberti – intense , competitive , and rancorous – sparked the artistic and architectural innovation of the Renaissance and inspired a future generation of bonafide Renaissance men .
In the economically and artistically flourishing city of Florence , an opportunity of a lifetime arose for two young architects to display their creative prowess and establish their name in Florentine society . By the year 1402 , the octagonal-shaped religious center in Florence , the Baptistery of Saint John , was in need of an additional set of large bronze doors to pair with the two previously built versions by Andrea Pisano and Lorenzo Ghiberti . Seven sculptors participated in the competition hosted by the Guild of Wool Merchants . The two eventual fi nalists we re Fi lippo Br unelleschi , a yo ung man who had previously picked up his early training and “ apprenticed as a goldsmith in his father ’ s friends workshop ,” and Lorenzo Ghiberti , who had earlier completed the North Doors and was now looking forward to
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