The Cathedral of Siena (Part 9): the Baptismal Font

Since the Gospel for today is traditionally dedicated to the beginning St John the Baptist’s public ministry (Luke 3, 1-6), we now turn to one of the most extraordinary artworks ever created in his honor, the font of the baptistery at the cathedral of Siena. This was made between 1417 and 1430 by several different artists, the most prominent among them being Donatello, Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Jacopo della Quercia. The last of these three designed the structure, and sculpted several different parts of it: the first of the six bronze panels that decorate the sides of the basin, the large tabernacle in the middle, the five marble reliefs of the prophets on the tabernacle, the bronze angels at its corners, and the statue of the Baptist on top. (All pictures by Nicola de’ Grandi.)

The bronze panels on the basin depict six episodes from the life of the Baptist, beginning with the Annunciation to Zachariah by Jacopo della Quercia. The casting mold for this was originally made in 1417, but not actually employed until 1430. At each of the six corners there is an allegorical figure of one of the Virtues; to the sides of this panel stand Fortitude (left) by Goro di Neroccio, 1428, and Charity (right), by Giovanni di Turino, 1424.

The second panel shows the Birth of the Baptist, by Turino di Sano and his son Giovanni di Turino, cast in 1427.

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