Sculptor, Entrepreneur. The son of pioneer Renaissance artist Lorenzo Ghiberti. Born in Florence, Italy, he studied sculpting and goldsmithing with his father and by 1437 was working as his assistant on the great "Gates of Paradise" for the Florence Baptistery. He was closely involved in the casting and gilding of that masterpiece and Lorenzo made him a partner in the Ghiberti workshop. His bust portrait appears next to his father's on the Gates, on the right-hand central framing strip. Vittorio inherited the family business after Lorenzo's death in 1455. The only surviving work known to be his is the decorative bronze frame of Andrea Pisano's South Portal doors for the Florence Baptistery, which he executed between 1453 and 1464. The sharp reliefs and floral details contrast somewhat incongruously with the Gothic austerity of Pisano's style, but it brought Vittorio considerable fame in his day. (It is noted on his epitaph as his great achievement). After that he appeared content to maintain the Ghiberti reputation as the finest bronze-casters in Florence, rather than creating original sculptures. His son Buonaccorso Ghiberti was the last to run the workshop, which in its heyday had helped usher in the Renaissance.
Sculptor, Entrepreneur. The son of pioneer Renaissance artist Lorenzo Ghiberti. Born in Florence, Italy, he studied sculpting and goldsmithing with his father and by 1437 was working as his assistant on the great "Gates of Paradise" for the Florence Baptistery. He was closely involved in the casting and gilding of that masterpiece and Lorenzo made him a partner in the Ghiberti workshop. His bust portrait appears next to his father's on the Gates, on the right-hand central framing strip. Vittorio inherited the family business after Lorenzo's death in 1455. The only surviving work known to be his is the decorative bronze frame of Andrea Pisano's South Portal doors for the Florence Baptistery, which he executed between 1453 and 1464. The sharp reliefs and floral details contrast somewhat incongruously with the Gothic austerity of Pisano's style, but it brought Vittorio considerable fame in his day. (It is noted on his epitaph as his great achievement). After that he appeared content to maintain the Ghiberti reputation as the finest bronze-casters in Florence, rather than creating original sculptures. His son Buonaccorso Ghiberti was the last to run the workshop, which in its heyday had helped usher in the Renaissance.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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