DUOMO AT SIENA

WIENER, Jacques: Italy, 1860, Bronze, 59 mm
Obv: View of exterior    DUOMO DI SIENA
Rev: View of interior
On left:  DUOMO COMINCIATO DA GIO DI NICCOLO PISANO 1243
On right:  FACCIATA 1339-1380
Exergue: PRIMA CHIESA FONDATA INTORNO AL 1089
Signed: J. WIENER F.
Ref: Van Hoydonck 176; Eidlitz 134/793

Siena is the capital of the province of Siena located 31 miles from Florence. The city has a university which was founded in 1203. Its cathedral, one of the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture, built in black and white marble, was begun at the end of the 12th century and by 1325 much of the building had been completed. Further construction was planned to begin in 1339 but it wasn't until later in the century that the main structure was completed. Among it art treasures include the octagonal pulpit designed by Niccolo Pisano. Numerous statues and bas-reliefs by Renaissance artists adorn the various alters and chapels. The cathedral's marvelous pavement is inlaid with designs in color and black and white, representing biblical and legendary subjects.
The architect of the Duomo at Siena, Niccolo Pisano (1206-1278) was born in Pisa. He first worked under Greek masters, executing designs for the duomo of his native city. His reputation as a sculptor stemmed from his marble figures for a mausoleum at Bologna. He designed several important churches throughout Italy, including those in Florence, Cortona, Arezzo and Borgo. His masterpieces, however, were executed at Pisa, notably the campanile with its original staircase and the famous pulpit in the baptistery, the latter copied by his son and pupils in the cathedral at Siena.

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