UNKNOWN MASTER, Italian
(11th century)

Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel

11th century
Bronze
San Zeno, Verona

The picture shows a panel of the bronze doors of San Zeno in Verona. Dates as far apart as the 9th and 13th centuries have been suggested for the doors of San Zeno. In fact, these doors have undergone a number of transformations after suffering through various wars, fires, and earthquakes. It seems that the oldest panels are from the 11th century and the most recent from the 12th century. A primitive, barbarian technique predominates in the former. A résumé of the earliest forms of human affliction is given in the figures placed at random over an empty space: Eve plies her distaff, while Adam pulls the plough, and Cain has just murdered his brother. Through the awkward forms of the strange, crude style can be felt a strong evocative force.