MAITANI, Lorenzo
(b. ca. 1255, Siena, d. 1330, Orvieto)

Reliefs on pier 4

1310-30
Marble
Duomo, Orvieto

The Gothic façade of the Orvieto Cathedral is one of the great masterpieces of the Late Middle Ages. The bas-reliefs on the piers depict biblical stories from the Old and New Testament. They are considered among the most famous of all 14th-century sculpture.

Pier 4 contains 9 scenes showing the Last Judgment (Book of Revelation). They depict from bottom left to top right:

  • Scene 1: Uncovered tombs.
  • Scene 2: Damned and Hell.
  • Scene 3: People awaiting judgment.
  • Scene 4: People awaiting judgment.
  • Scene 5: Elected.
  • Scene 6: Elected.
  • Scene 7: Apostles.
  • Scene 8: Christ the Judge.
  • Scene 9: Apostles.




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