Leo Martínez
The Duomo in Florence, formally known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower, is a masterpiece of art and the symbol of Florence, Renaissance culture, and Western humanism. The dome, built between 1420 and 1436, is the largest masonry vault in the world. One of the most notable features of the Duomo is the painting above the entrance. This painting, known as The Last Judgment, was created by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari between 1572 and 1579. It depicts the 24 elders from the Apocalypse, angels, saints, and personifications of the seven deadly sins, among other religious figures and scenes. The painting is part of a larger decorative scheme that includes sculptures and stained glass windows by renowned artists such as Donatello, Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Paolo Uccello.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | The Last Judgment |
| Artist(s) | Giorgio Vasari, Federico Zuccari |
| Medium | Painting |
| Style | Fresco, Secco |
| Year | 1572-1579 |
| Location | Duomo, Florence |
| Subject | The Last Judgment among allegories |
| Figures | 700, including 248 angels, 235 blessed souls, 21 personifications, 102 religious figures, 35 damned souls, 13 portraits, 14 monsters, 23 putti, 12 animals |
| Size | Over 3,600 square meters |
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What You'll Learn
The painting is called 'The Last Judgment'
The painting above the entrance of the Duomo in Florence is called "The Last Judgment". It was painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari between 1572 and 1579. The painting is a fresco, and at over 3,600 square metres, it is one of the largest paintings in the history of art.
Vasari was originally commissioned by Grand Duke Cosimo I to paint the dome, presenting "The Last Judgment" among allegories. Vasari created the preparatory cartoons and painted the topmost registers in fresco before his death in 1574. The work was then taken over by Federico Zuccari, who was brought in by the new Grand Duke, Francesco I, to complete the decoration. Zuccari worked "in secco", painting on dry plaster rather than wet fresco.
The immense work is structured according to a refined iconographic program, developed by the theologian, court intellectual, and Benedictine monk Vincenzo Borghini. The painting is rich in religious symbolism and iconography. At the very top, an angel holds a scroll reading "ECCE HOMO", recalling Pilate's words as he condemned Christ. Below, Christ is depicted in white robes with arms outstretched, welcoming the blessed on the right and turning away the damned on the left. An angel drives a nail into a celestial globe, representing the world that crucified him now won.
The painting also includes personifications of the three theological virtues: Charity, Faith, and Hope. At the bottom, we arrive at the seven regions of Hell, each punishing one of the seven deadly sins. The powerful bodies in the painting recall Michelangelo's "Judgment" in the Sistine Chapel, completed 40 years earlier.
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It was painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari
The painting above the entrance of the Duomo in Florence, Italy, is a depiction of The Last Judgment. Formally known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower, the Duomo is the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Florence. The painting was a collaborative effort by artists Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari.
Vasari and Zuccari's painting is a fresco, a technique that involves painting on wet plaster. Vasari began the project in 1572, when he was commissioned by Grand Duke Cosimo I to paint the mural. The painting depicts the Last Judgment among allegories. Unfortunately, both Vasari and his client died in 1574, before the work could be completed.
The successor to the throne, Francesco I, then brought in Zuccari, who was already one of Vasari's collaborators, to finish the work. Zuccari worked in secco, painting on dry plaster, to complete the decoration by 1579. The completed work is one of the largest paintings in the history of art, covering over 3,600 square metres and featuring 700 figures, including angels, blessed souls, damned souls, monsters, and animals.
The painting is structured according to a precise iconographic programme developed by the theologian, court intellectual, and Benedictine monk Vincenzo Borghini. The composition includes several families of saints and the Elect, as well as personifications of the Christian Virtues, each flanked by a Gift of the Holy Spirit and a Beatitude. The painting also depicts the seven regions of Hell, each punishing one of the seven deadly sins.
The Duomo itself is a masterpiece of art and a symbol of Florence, Renaissance culture, and Western humanism. The dome, engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi, is the largest masonry vault in the world and features an elaborate 19th-century Gothic Revival western façade by Emilio De Fabris.
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It was commissioned by Grand Duke Cosimo I
The painting above the entrance to the Duomo in Florence is known as "The Last Judgment" and it was originally commissioned by Grand Duke Cosimo I in 1572. The artist he chose for the work was the elderly Giorgio Vasari, who began by creating preparatory cartoons in the special large rooms of the Dominican convent of Santa Maria Novella. Vasari then set about painting the summit registers in fresco, 90 metres above the ground.
Vasari's immense fresco is structured according to a refined iconographic programme, developed by the theologian, court intellectual, and Benedictine monk Vincenzo Borghini. The painting depicts the 24 elders described in the Apocalypse, looking out from a temple-like architecture and standing near the throne of God. The light shining from the oculus suggests the presence of God. In the step below, the angelic hierarchies stand out, each bearing one of the instruments of the Passion.
Unfortunately, in 1574, both Vasari and his patron, Grand Duke Cosimo I, died before the work could be completed. The new Grand Duke, Francesco I de' Medici, then called upon Federico Zuccari, an artist from Urbino who had already been collaborating with Vasari, to finish the painting. Zuccari completed the work in 1579, but he had to work in secco, painting on dry plaster rather than wet fresco.
The completed work represents one of the largest paintings in the history of art, covering over 3,600 square metres and featuring 700 figures, including angels, blessed souls, damned souls, monsters, and animals.
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It is one of the largest paintings in history
The painting above the entrance to the Duomo in Florence is called "The Last Judgment". It was painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari between 1572 and 1579. This immense artwork is one of the largest paintings ever created, measuring over 3,600 square metres. It is a mural painting on the internal vault of the dome, which was commissioned by Grand Duke Cosimo I.
The sheer size of this painting is a remarkable feat of artistic endeavour. With its vast expanse, it covers the entire internal dome, creating a breathtaking experience for viewers. The painting depicts a complex and detailed scene with over 700 figures, including angels, blessed souls, damned souls, religious figures, monsters, animals, and personifications of virtues. This intricate composition is organised according to a precise iconographic programme formulated by the theologian and court intellectual Vincenzo Borghini.
The painting's scale and complexity are not merely artistic choices but also serve a deeper purpose. The Last Judgment scene, with its multitude of figures, conveys a powerful message about the Catholic concept of the end of times. The inclusion of a large number of figures allows for a comprehensive representation of different souls facing judgment, reinforcing the idea of divine justice and the consequences of earthly actions.
Vasari, a renowned artist, began the project by creating preparatory cartoons and painting the topmost registers in fresco. However, his work was interrupted by his death in 1574, along with that of his patron, Grand Duke Cosimo I. The task of completing the painting fell to Federico Zuccari, who worked in secco, painting on dry plaster.
Zuccari's contribution to this monumental work is significant. He successfully integrated his style with Vasari's, maintaining a cohesive overall composition. Zuccari's completion of the painting in 1579 marked a significant milestone in the history of art, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to captivate and inspire viewers to this day.
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It is located in the dome of the cathedral
The painting above the entrance of the Duomo in Florence is located in the dome of the cathedral, which is an absolute masterpiece of art. The dome is a symbol of Florence, Renaissance culture, and Western humanism. It was built between 1420 and 1436 to a plan by Filippo Brunelleschi, and it is still the largest masonry vault in the world. The dome is an octagonal structure in stone and brick masonry, with an external diameter of 55 meters and an interior diameter of 45.5 meters. It consists of two domes, one internal and one external, each composed of eight "sails". The two domes are united by the structures of 24 meridian and 10 parallel ribs.
The painting itself, titled "The Last Judgment," was started by Giorgio Vasari in 1572 when he was commissioned by Grand Duke Cosimo I. Vasari created the preparatory cartoons and painted the topmost registers in fresco, 90 meters above the ground. However, he died in 1574 before he could finish the work. The project was then taken over by Federico Zuccari, who completed the painting in 1579. Zuccari used the secco technique, painting on dry plaster. The completed work represents one of the largest paintings in the history of art, with over 3,600 square meters of surface area and 700 figures.
The painting is structured according to a refined iconographic program developed by the theologian, court intellectual, and Benedictine monk Vincenzo Borghini. It depicts Christ, enthroned in white robes with arms outstretched, welcoming the blessed on his right and turning away the damned on his left. Below Christ, an angel drives a nail into a celestial globe, symbolizing the world that crucified him now won. The painting also includes personifications of the three theological virtues—Charity, Faith, and Hope—as well as saints and angels.
The dome of the cathedral is not only adorned by the magnificent painting but also features stunning stained glass windows. The circular windows in the drum of the dome or above the entrance depict Christ and Mary and were crafted by the greatest Florentine artists of their time, including Donatello, Lorenzo Ghiberti, Paolo Uccello, and Andrea del Castagno. These windows are an integral part of the cathedral's artistic allure, complementing the grandeur of Vasari and Zuccari's "The Last Judgment."
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Frequently asked questions
The painting above the entrance of the Duomo in Florence is called "The Last Judgment".
The painting was a commission by Grand Duke Cosimo I to Giorgio Vasari in 1572. However, both the painter and his client died in 1574, so Francesco I enlisted Federico Zuccari to complete the work in 1579.
"The Last Judgment" depicts the story of Humanity, from Original Sin to the Sacrifice of Christ, and finally, the end of the World. The painting includes figures such as God the Father, a dead Christ, Adam and Eve, angels, saints, and personifications of the seven deadly sins.
Covering over 3,600 square meters, "The Last Judgment" is one of the largest paintings in the history of art. It features 700 figures, including 248 angels, 235 blessed souls, 35 damned souls, and 14 monsters.
The Duomo in Florence, formally known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore), is the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Florence. Construction began in 1296, and it features a dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi, which is the largest masonry vault in the world.
