Gates of Paradise HFF! (with Pip)

Thank you, Nouchetdu. That is very kind!

Hello Annalia, many thanks for these interesting informations about this famous „Paradise Gate“. The first time I saw it was in 1983, it looks exactly like Udo’s photo shows it. The next time in the year 1990 the gate looks like it looks today. Since 1990 I visited Florence many times, and every time I was convinced that I saw the original Gate. Thank you for making me smarter …
My great compliment for the perfect shot!!!

Thank you, Uli. I am glad the info was useful. I think the original idea, when they removed the door in 1990, was to have it restored and that the replica would be a temporary stand-in. However, during restoration, they found that just being out in the open had caused much damage that it needed to be kept under protective atmosphere. I also found out afterwards that I gave Steve outdated info, since 8 years ago, 27 years since conservation work had started, the reassembled door was put on display inside the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. It is encased in a glass container but can be viewed in its entirety. If you are interested in more info on the restoration, it can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6AbLI4QBAU

Although it concerns the other, older door by Ghiberti on the north side, I also found this video of the casting of the North door replica fascinating. This replica was done much more recently than that of the Paradise Gate, so we can get a glimpse of the painstaking process that goes also into making the replicas as well. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nflmtV6pRvo