Florence Baptistery: History, Art, Myth
A lecture by Timothy Verdon
The lecture illustrates the myth of the Baptistery’s origin as a pagan temple, as well as its religious and political functions as baptismal church and civic monument. The talk also briefly discusses the interrelated programs of art - the mosaic cycle, the bronze doors, the silver altar and embroidered vestments - that made Florence Baptistery one of the chief loci of the early Renaissance, a source of inspiration to later architects and artists.
Timothy Christopher Verdon (born 24 April 1946), is a Roman Catholic priest and Art Historian, specialized in Christian Sacred Art on which he has written numerous books and articles. He has organized international scholarly conferences and curated exhibitions in Italy and the USA. He was born in New Jersey, United States, and has lived in Italy for more than 50 years, now residing in Florence.
If you are in Florence and would like to attend the lecture in person at the British Institute Library, please register here or send an email to bif@britishinstitute.it
The registration fee is 10 Euro per person.
All participants are invited to wear a mask throughout the event.
To join this lecture with Zoom (no reservation necessary), simply click on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88589200933?pwd=cUxHV1pUZzFLa0UzRmlHSUpFVE93UT09 at 18:00 on Wednesday 26th October.
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