The Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo in Florence
by DONATELLO

From 1428 to about 1443 Donatello was at work on the sculptural decoration of the Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo, built by Brunelleschi between 1418 and 1428. This decoration, carried out with bronzes and polychrome stuccos comprises two arched reliefs above the bronze doors of the altar wall, one showing St Cosmas and St Damian, the other St Stephen and St Lawrence, eight roundels in polychrome stucco with the four Evangelists and four episodes from the life of St John (St John on Patmos, the Resurrection of Drusiana, the Martyrdom and the Ascension of St John), and two bronze doors divided into ten compartments each with the Apostles and Martyrs.

Preview Picture Data Info
Old Sacristy
1428-43
Photo
San Lorenzo, Florence


Old Sacristy
1418-28
Photo
San Lorenzo, Florence


Old Sacristy
1418-28
Photo
San Lorenzo, Florence


Door of the Martyrs
1440-43
Bronze, 235 x 109 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Door of the Martyrs (detail)
1440-43
Bronze
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Door of the Martyrs (detail)
1440-43
Bronze, 31 x 29 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Door of the Martyrs (detail)
1440-43
Bronze
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Door of the Apostles
1440-43
Bronze, 235 x 109 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Door of the Apostles (detail)
1440-43
Bronze, 36 x 34 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Door of the Apostles (detail)
1440-43
Bronze, 30 x 29 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


St Stephen and St Lawrence
1428-35
Polychrome terracotta, 215 x 180 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


St Cosmas and St Damian
1428-35
Polychrome terracotta, 215 x 180 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Evangelist Matthew
1428-43
Polychrome stucco, diameter 215 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Evangelist Mark
1428-43
Polychrome stucco, diameter 215 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Evangelist Luke
1428-43
Polychrome stucco, diameter 215 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Evangelist John
1428-43
Polychrome stucco, diameter 215 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


St John on Patmos
1428-43
Polychrome stucco, diameter 215 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Martyrdom of St John
1428-43
Polychrome stucco, diameter 215 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Ascension of St John
1428-43
Polychrome stucco, diameter 215 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Raising of Drusiana
1428-43
Polychrome stucco, diameter 215 cm
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence


Putti of the trabeation
1428-43
Polychrome stucco
Old Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence



Summary of sculptures by Donatello
Early works
John XXIII | David | Duomo | Orsanmichele | Siena | Various
Mature works
Cantoria | Basilica di Santo | Prato Pulpit | San Lorenzo | Various
Late works
Judith and Holofernes | Pulpits of San Lorenzo | Various



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