Abraham and Isaac

This panel from the Gates of Paradise depicts The Story of Abraham

The Story of Abraham puts together several different stories together in one artwork. You will find here the Sacrifice of Isaac in the background, with this story being a warning as to the later fate of Christ. In the foreground is the revelation of the Trinity plus the meal cooked by Sarah foresees the creation of the Eucharist.

Ghiberti's influence placed him amongst the most significant Renaissance artists, with other notable names, predominantly for painting, including Sandro Botticelli, Titian, Caravaggio and Raphael

Some of the outstanding features from this particular panel would be the detail to the trees that sit proudly at the back of the scene, plus the three dimensional stones in the bottom right which help to pull the artwork out towards the viewer.

The legacy of Ghiberti is most obvious in the work of one of his pupils, Donatello. Both of these great sculptors would initially learn their trade in a goldsmiths before branching out to receive regular commissioned sculptures. Master Ghiberti actually had several other famous names within his studio at various points.

Twenty seven years were needed to complete this full series of panels, with the sculptor taking no shortcuts in order to deliver his highly anticipated project any earlier. He would take on several commissions at the same time which would tend to delay each of them, but others would help out on occassions, though the key parts of each one would be completed by Lorenzo.