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October 28, 2010 at 4:51 pm #2458
Phidippides
KeymasterHere is a neat summary of some notable bronze doors near the High Middle Ages. Ornate doors could be placed on churches and have Biblical scenes covering them, and bronze was of course more difficult to work with (and more expensive) than something like ordinary wood.Bronze doors on churches of Xth and XIth centuryThe "lost wax" method of bronze sculpture that is mentioned was used as early as the time of the Greeks. It was an ingenious way of bronze casting which involves the following basic steps:1) create a mold out of something like clay2) cover it with a thick layer of wax3) model your wax into the relief that you want the final product to look like4) cover that wax layer with another layer (with something like clay)5) pour liquid bronze into the mold; the hot bronze melts the wax, the wax drains away, and the bronze settles into the cavity of the mold6) after it has cooled, the layer of clay is removed7) the resulting bronze relief is chased, polished to achieve the final result!
October 28, 2010 at 5:44 pm #22926scout1067
ParticipantI have actually seen the doors in Venice, Hildesheim, and Augsburg in real life. They are every bit as impressive as the descriptions make them out to be. The Bronze doors at the Cathedral in Pisa are very impressive as well. There is a lizard on the doors in Pisa that is supposed to bring good luck if you rub it.
October 28, 2010 at 5:59 pm #22927Phidippides
KeymasterThat is pretty neat. BTW, if by chance you happen to have some good photos of the pulpit inside the Pisa baptistery, let me know (I'm doing a paper on it this semester).
October 29, 2010 at 3:19 am #22928scout1067
ParticipantI have several that are pretty decent. Should I email them to you?
October 29, 2010 at 4:08 am #22929Phidippides
KeymasterSure, that would be great. Thanks!
October 29, 2010 at 7:12 am #22930scout1067
ParticipantI will try to send them to you tonight when I get home. I think I have 5-10 pictures. I will send you what I have and you can pick what you want to use, if anything. Just remember to attribute the pictures to me. ;D
October 29, 2010 at 11:53 am #22931Aetheling
ParticipantIronically, a good example of “serious damage” by tourism to artworks (just like “I must touch it” even if the area is obviously restricted by a fence) ;D (nothing personal here) 😉
October 29, 2010 at 12:05 pm #22932scout1067
ParticipantI know, we had to be slick because there are Carabinieri standing there to stop people like me from touching the door. I am just slicker than the cops I guess. ;DUpdate to Phid: The pictures have been sent.
October 29, 2010 at 3:35 pm #22933Phidippides
KeymasterThanks Scout! Got 'em.
Ironically, a good example of "serious damage" by tourism to artworks (just like "I must touch it" even if the area is obviously restricted by a fence) ;D (nothing personal here) 😉
Try that with the Mona Lisa. You'll have to get around the bullet-proof glass somehow, but you can do it! ;D
October 29, 2010 at 3:44 pm #22934Aetheling
ParticipantThanks Scout! Got 'em.
Ironically, a good example of "serious damage" by tourism to artworks (just like "I must touch it" even if the area is obviously restricted by a fence) ;D (nothing personal here) 😉
Try that with the Mona Lisa. You'll have to get around the bullet-proof glass somehow, but you can do it! ;D
Try this at home ;D
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