15-11-2022
Architecture
The Bernward door: the oldest monumental cycle of the German sculpture
The bronze door of the 1015, one of the most important works of the Ottonian art. Let us have a look together to the special features of the BernwardstĂŒr of Hildesheim Cathedral.
Not only stained glass windows and mosaics are important elements of liturgical architecture. Doors represent the third component that have always played an important role in religious buildings of all over the world. Those doors are generally elaborated and divided into two wings, which are often decorated with paintings or carvings.
With the following article we want to write about a particular example of door: the Bernward door (BernwardstĂŒr) of the Hildesheim Cathedral, in Germany. This bronze door, composed by 16 panels, depicts some scenes from the Old and New Testament. Panels on the left side depict scenes from the Old Testament, starting at the top with the Creation of Man and ending with Abel's murder comitted by his brother Cain. On the other hand, panels on the opposite side show New Testament events, starting with the Annunciation to Mary at the bottom and ending with Easter and the Ascension at the top.
What is most important is that the characters on this door, commissioned in 1015 by the bishop Bernward, from whom the name of the door was taken, present a peculiarity. In this ancient monumental cycle of images, the figures do not emerge uniformly from the surface, but rather they stick their heads out. A significant example of this can be seen on the Adoration scene: while the lower part of the body is still worked as a bas-relief, the upper part of the body stick out.
Nowadays, the Bernward door is considered to be one of the most important works of the Ottonian art, which for preservation reasons is opened only on special occasions.(The Bernward doors)
With the following article we want to write about a particular example of door: the Bernward door (BernwardstĂŒr) of the Hildesheim Cathedral, in Germany. This bronze door, composed by 16 panels, depicts some scenes from the Old and New Testament. Panels on the left side depict scenes from the Old Testament, starting at the top with the Creation of Man and ending with Abel's murder comitted by his brother Cain. On the other hand, panels on the opposite side show New Testament events, starting with the Annunciation to Mary at the bottom and ending with Easter and the Ascension at the top.
What is most important is that the characters on this door, commissioned in 1015 by the bishop Bernward, from whom the name of the door was taken, present a peculiarity. In this ancient monumental cycle of images, the figures do not emerge uniformly from the surface, but rather they stick their heads out. A significant example of this can be seen on the Adoration scene: while the lower part of the body is still worked as a bas-relief, the upper part of the body stick out.
Nowadays, the Bernward door is considered to be one of the most important works of the Ottonian art, which for preservation reasons is opened only on special occasions.(The Bernward doors)