New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-31
THE GHIBERTI GATES AT YALE.

IHE GHIDEhII OAIED al ALL.
A CAST OF THE CELEBRATED GATES ERECrED IN THE
ART SCHOoI-LECTURE BY PROF. JNO. y. WEIR
(FRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TEIBUsEI
NEw-HAvEN, Conn, March 29.-In matters
pertaining art Yalo College has been quite fortunate
OF late Prof j. f. Welr Of tie School Of the Fine Arts
has now been instrumental insecurng TO the College
most important acquisition, IL tho shape OF large and
handsome cast OF the word.rnowned Ghbert Gates at
Florence. There but -four casts of this immense
work in existence. The gates themselves of bronze
aud pertain TO the Bapuste-y at Florence as no Eu
ropean traveller need be reminded They are OF massive
proportions, and adorned with ten panels In bas
relief descriptive OF various sacred subjects, double
border of connected work OF the same description,
representing prophets sybil and beautiful clusters OF
flowers and fruits the whoebeing most inGeniousy and
tastefuy designed and exqistely executed The cast
now on exhibition at the Yah Art Gallery s worthy OF
the original Its dimensions are 20 by IS feet IL was
brought over in co from the South Kensington
Museum where 1t made and its weight Is 80 great
that an extra foundation OF brick has been nlad in the
west end OF the NORTH gallery in order TO
provide the requisite support The cost Of this
acquisition is OF course quite heavy; and it was only
partially betrayed by the proceeds OF an explanatory
lecture gwen tonight by Prof. Weir at the Art Gallery
The weather was exceedingly unpropitious, and COM
parativey few were present: but on account OF the
great interest attaching to the subject it hoped that
audience should not be limited 20 the citizens OF New
Haven The cast situated very advantageousy, both
in pract cal and an aesthetic point Of view. Entering
the middle or connecting gallery, one finds himself sur
rounded by specimens Of the early Greek art.
Proceeding thence tho North gallery the attention
first directed to examples of the Byzantine
school, the paintings OF the tenth century ana tne me
deva in general and then 1t rests upon THIS grad
memorial Of the Renaissance thus exhibiting TO the Wis
itor palpable ana satisfactory Illustration OF
sive art Several Of 9hbers subjects in the panels OF
the gates identical with some OF the Byzantine SUD
iects near by and OF the difference III treat
ment by the artists OF the different schools Is often
amusing, and always instructive. .u,,.A
Lorenzo Ghberti lived Prof Weir remarked that his
life possessed additional interest from the Iac that t4s
epoch was a most important one taken as IL was with
attractive events rich In new eyoutons OF thougt ana
ideas and Witnessing ,nS rapq S i4e and for
many years before, Florence had been agitated con
tinuay by wars and internal disse nsons The
struggles of the Guephs-the church party-and the
Gh6elnes-the imperial party-occasl0ned numoerless
braws, political civil, and domestic; when Dante VINO
became entanged therein subsequently ht a I
in the "Infern0" In art TOO, quieter Dut NOT iess
rab,dv sketebed few of the more conspicuous events
in the chain which connects Ghlbertl Win tne aaWn Vi
were noticed. and description gwen OF their mmorta,
mestimabe contributions 70 the worid Oh ahsi anu
the various artmonuments OF Florence pertalnn9 70
the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, we're explained
at length in regard to their relations Win he Ise anu
nropress of the new school. or these monuments the
most imposing and magnificent Is the Cathedral
Although this great building was begun IN i9ss.
the erection OF the dOmethe greatest In the Woru-Was
not initiated until 1920 when Brunelesch the pest OF
the old architects, assumed charge OF the WON %
ellesch was cOtempOraneous with CHILDBIRTH Ihese Two
masters, together with the sculptor Donatelo lew
years previous to Brunellescbrs appointments as aren't
tect of the DuOmo had gone 10 Rome to devote them
selves to the study of the ANTIQUITIES and there ent
waited assiduousy all the branches Oh POe the aSss
OF those days. About this time the science ol PesPeo
tive discovered by Paoo Ucelo ana thls was aP
He was recalled to Florence ,, anu nro com,
he nrstin u
double dome, and IS still as before SAID the iargest ~
the world having served Michael Angelo as model IN
the building OF that OF st. Peters at Rome IL was amid
such scenes and associations that GhDeru was Juu
the Sodsnths art under the care OF his father All the
three aforementioned artists were oiignaiS sJ
s|'n a Godsmihs mas Art '' Which had for
centuries appropriated to Itself tne etea'ei tae
Of nS gradually into bronze work. and from i is
sued scuptors, VINO derived from u tneir Sar h
berti Donateo, verroccho, Franca Celln and Others
too to mention. From TINS gOld d f ,hs
Medei Gradually freeing himself from this, GILBERT
studied painting and devoted himself oGe' tSe si
noria OF Florence and the Guild of Merchants resOvG1
known the Baptisery-the oldest ehuch ~ d
This ancient building is octagonal In Iorn, h
eled after the Pantheon aud Is supposed 10 nave
been completed early the eighth century 1t had three
open gates, facing toward tue hoftheast anu eU hon
the southern gate bad been already supplied ana Wne1
the Guild OF Merchants TO whom the church belonged
determined to have the eastern gate Hhaheu tneS ap
seven. including Brunellesch Donaello and Ghlbert.
Forentines, and four Tuscsns. Thirty-four foreign
ana native masters were appointed as Dom
nlittee 10 decide upon the designs su0mltted-a
man which Prof Weir cOmmends TO the atten
ION of the Congressman OF the present Jay.
obert was at this time but 20 years DID, Out ne 90
tned the preference and the work was gwen 10 hlni
tnr completoa In 1908 He Il years In executing III
and on The 18Th Of April 1924, bOtn folding gates huk on
their hinges Ghiberts tame was now secure au MS
services were claimed on all sides The gate Win Us
exterior ornaments, also Of bronze metal, cost ZxOO
forins and weighed $4,000 pounds Iheidulid vi MOI
chants now determined 10 give the construction o tuo
third door 10 Ghbertl. In this third ana last kate
NJ the Baptistery-and IL Is OF this that fale
now uossesses the cast-tbe artist not only greatly
his previous work. but also appears 10 nave
reached the perfection OF art. GhiDerii was enRasou
upon these gates necessarily and not long aier tue
Completion no died his whole life, amounting 70 "a
having been devoted these two principal wofk
IL hnweyer executed several works Of less import
aDce In gold and silver. well az bronze; statues ioI
The Medici Dtagllos ornaments for Pope Mhrtln
Ponies mitre, &C.. and received many ana suDSlautai
rewards dhOnOrs from his adiDring country moi.
Prof. Welrs lecture was throughout nghp M ~,
ing Several Photographic views OF Florence anu ITO
fstic attractions were projected upon screen at inc
close OF the lecture To illustrate tue topics useusseu
Tbe aid OF calcium umnators rendered the perception
~ the delicate reiefs admirably clear and satiac-
tory Ii matter OF congratulation among an s
~ art and especially among the Alumni OF iaie tnat
tho College has secured this valuable and interesting
cast IL will doubtless prove powerful center Oh a..
traction 20 the crowds who arc 10 assemble IN he"h'en
during the next Commencement holidays.
-
Tho Massachusetts, Senate passed uDan-