Joshua (The crossing of the Jordan river and the fall of the Jericho)

myminifactory

This replica relief is a masterpiece carved from marble, replicating the intricate details of Lorenzo Ghiberti's 15th-century bronze plate on the eastern main door of the Florence Baptistery. The door itself is an iconic work of art that showcases scenes from the Old Testament, with this particular panel illustrating the pivotal moment when Joshua led his army across the Jordan River and conquered Jericho. What makes this piece truly remarkable is Ghiberti's bold decision to depict the crumbling walls of Jericho as they fell before Joshua's forces. To achieve this effect, he skillfully incised deep cracks into the fortifications, which can still be seen on the marble replica today. It takes a master craftsman like Ghiberti, who rose to the pinnacle of his profession and remained there for centuries, to pull off such an audacious feat with ease. The original bronze plate is now safely stored at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, where it continues to inspire generations of artists and art lovers.