Photos of the Romanesque Gothic Parma Baptistry Art

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Photos of the Romanesque Gothic Parma Baptistry Art. The wonderful cross over Romanesque-Gothic Architecture & Art. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams.  (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of the Romanesque Gothic Parma Baptistry Art.

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Photos of the 12th century Romanesque-Gothic Parma Baptistry Art, Italy.

Transition Between the Romanesque & Gothic

The Parma Baptistry marks a transition between the Romanesque and Gothic styles, and it is considered to be among the most important Medieval monuments in Europe.

Octagonal Baptistry Design

The octagonal Baptistry of Parma is a beautiful harmonious building clad in pink Verona marble. Its position at the South side of the Duomo Square of the Parma was well considered by its medieval architects. It catches the morning sun in a most dramatic way standing out against the shadowy buildings that back it.

It is no accident that the Baptistry of Palma was built to take full effect of the sun which pouring through its small windows all year. The extraordinary Romanesque architecture of the Baptistry of Parma, and its splendid exterior sculptural decorations, were begun in 1196 by Bishop Obizzo Fieschi.

Benedictus Antelami

The work was supervised by Benedictus Antelami, an Italian sculptor and Architect of the Romanesque school, whose Lombard influences can be seen in the Baptistry.

The octagonal Baptistry has 3 Romanesque style arched portals above which are 4 stories of loggias topped by a row of blind arches that hide the internal dome.

Exterior Sculptures

Just above eye height a zoophorus, a decorated frieze, runs around the whole building with sculpted panels of mythical animals, centaurs, and mermaids. The meanings of most of these creatures have been lost to us but a hint of their meaning can be seen in the Bestiaries.

The Lunettes of the portals are sculpted with religious scenes. Looking out towards the Duomo is the Portal of the Virgin with Child which was the main ceremonial entrance used by the Bishop of Parma into the Baptistry. At the centre of the lunette sits the Virgin Mary with Christ as a child sitting on her knee giving a blessing. Below her is a wave of sculpted stone which represents water and baptism.

The frieze of the portal is dated 1196 and is engraved with an inscription that states that Benedictus was the sculptor. The lunette of the West Portal was also sculpted by Benedictus Antelami. At its centre is Christ Pantocrator giving his blessing.

The panel is designed to show Christ as redeemer and to his left are angels and to his right is the instrument of redemption, the Cross topped by a crown of thorns.

Interior Paintings

Inside the Baptistry of Palma the walls and ceiling are covered in wonderful medieval paintings. The style of the frescoes varies from Romanesque to a hint of early Gothic.

The ceiling is made up of 16 triangular panels that rise from the octagonal walls to a centre point. These contain painted scenes all painted in the are 13th and 14th century.

The style of the paintings still have hints of Byzantine style art but the artist has moved the style on. This is almost a Porto-Renaissance style.