Copy of Doors
1874 (made), ca. 1874 (cast), 1015 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
These electrotype copies record a technical marvel of the Middle Ages. Each wing of the original doors was cast in bronze in one piece. The doors are among the largest to survive from this time – nearly five metres high. They are also celebrated for their relief scenes, which are the oldest known monumental image cycle in German sculpture. These electrotype copies capture the fine detail of the biblical stories portrayed
in the reliefs.
in the reliefs.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Electrotype |
Brief description | Electrotype copy of a pair of bronze doors depicting the Creation of Eve from Hildesheim Cathedral, made bu Giovanni Franchi in about 1874. |
Physical description | Electrotype of a pair of bronze doors depicting: The Creation of Eve, Temptation of Adam and Eve, The Fall of Man, Expulsion out of Paradise, The sacrifice of Cain and Abel, Annunciation, The Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, The Presentation in the Temple, Christ before Pontias Pilate, The Crucifixion, Marys at the Sepulchre, Christ's appearance to Mary Magdalene. |
Dimensions |
|
Gallery label |
|
Object history | Electrotype copy of the original bronze doors from Hildesheim Cathedral, about 1015. The copies were made by Giovanni Franchi & Son in about 1874, and were purchased from Giovanni Franchi in 1874 for £380. |
Historical context | The doors are decorated with (on the left) representations of the Creation of Eve, the Presentation of Eve to Adam, the Temptation, the Fall, the Expulsion, the Labours of Adam and Eve, the Sacrifice of Abel and Cain, the Murder of Abel, and on the right, the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Presentation to Simeon, Christ before Pilate, the crucifixion, the maries a the Sepulchre, and Christ appearing to St Mary Magdalen. The doors were made at the order of St Bernward, Bishop of Hildesheim (993-1022) and set up by him in 1015 in St Michael's Church, Hildesheim. His successor, St Godehard, removed them to the Cathedral. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | These electrotype copies record a technical marvel of the Middle Ages. Each wing of the original doors was cast in bronze in one piece. The doors are among the largest to survive from this time – nearly five metres high. They are also celebrated for their relief scenes, which are the oldest known monumental image cycle in German sculpture. These electrotype copies capture the fine detail of the biblical stories portrayed in the reliefs. |
Collection | |
Accession number | REPRO.1874-44 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | October 4, 2006 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest