The 10 Panels of the Doors of Paradise
Panel 1: “Adam and Eve” panel (top left on the doors) of the Gates of Paradise, God creates the Universe and “The Garden of Eden” (top of the panel), later on he creates the first humans Adam and Eve (bottom left and center). Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit (left) which culminates when the Angel expelled both from the Garden (right). The background features lush vegetation and architectural elements, emphasizing both paradise and loss.
Panel 2: The panel with the “Story of Cain and Abel” (top right on the Gates of Paradise). Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve (their humble hut represented on the top left). While offering a sacrifice to God over small altars (top right), God preferred Abel’s sacrifice over Cain’s. Abel was a shepherd (middle left, shown sitting peacefully with his herd) and Cain worked the land (bottom left). Out of jealousy because of God’s choice, Cain was enraged with God and murders Abel (middle right). Meanwhile God sees it all (middle right next to the frame’s edge) and consequently expelled Cain (bottom right).
Panel 3: Lorenzo Ghiberti depicts the ark in this bronze door panel as a pyramid. At the top, we see Noah and his family members departing the ark along with the animals. The lower right shows Noah offering burnt sacrifices to God who looks down from the opening in the sky in the upper right, surrounded by worshiping angels. In the lower left and center, Noah gets drunk and the sons of Noah uncover him to look on him naked.
Panel 4: This panel depicts the Story of Abraham. Here Ghiberti dissolved the background to lead our eye beyond the slender trunks of trees to the distant hills against the sky. The Old testament story prefigures the New, for the sacrifice of Isaac appears in the background as a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Christ. The three angels appearing to Abraham are a revelation of the Trinity, and the meal prepared by Sarah prophesies the establishment of the Eucharist.
Panel 5: “Isaac with Esau and Jacob” (third panel from top to bottom, left row of the Gates of Paradise). God appears to Rebecca, the wife of Isaac (top right corner) to explain her that her two sons will represent two nations and two peoples, and one will supplant the other. Rebecca then gives birth to the twins Esau and Jacob (middle left, reclining under the arcade). Esau comes back hungry and asks Jacob for some food (center, middle term, Esau with both arms raised), Esau’s loses his birthright in exchange of Jacob’s bowl of food. Then Isaac is shown in first term (a little off center) asking Esau (his older son) to bring him some of the game he hunts and promised him to bless him when he returns. Esau then goes hunting (far right, next to the panel’s edge) and in the meantime Rebecca tells Jacob to supplant his brother and asks him to bring the meat Esau is out hunting for Isaac (second term, under the arcade to the right). Finally, Isaac blesses Jacob thinking he is Esau (first term, bottom right).
Panel 6: “The Story of Joseph” (third panel from top to bottom, right row of the Gates of Paradise). In this panel, Ghiberti depicted 8 different scenes from the story of Joseph, and according to Vasari’s Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors and Architects, this panel was the most difficult and also the most beautiful of the doors. On the left, Joseph is thrown into a pit by his brothers, with anguish etched into their faces. In the center, he is depicted as a dignified figure in Pharaoh’s court. On the right, Joseph embraces his brothers, symbolizing forgiveness.
Panel 7: "The Story of Moses" (fourth panel from top to bottom, left row of the Gates of Paradise). The panel captures Moses’ leadership of the Israelites, focusing on the crossing of the Red Sea and the receiving of the Ten Commandments. Moses is central, holding the stone tablets, his commanding presence emphasized by surrounding figures. The parting of the Red Sea is depicted with waves surging dramatically to either side. Israelites march forward, their expressions a mix of relief and awe, while architectural motifs hint at Mount Sinai.
Panel 8: “The Story of Joshua” (fourth panel from top to bottom, right row of the Gates of Paradise). Moses has died and Joshua, now as the leader of the Israelite, leads them to the Promised Land crossing the Jordan River (left and center, the river’s bead). Joshua carries the 10 commandments around the city of Jericho seven times while the city’s wall collapses and then takes over the city (top).
Panel 9: “The Story of David” (bottom panel, left row of the Gates of Paradise). The story of David’s battle with Goliath is brought to life. In the foreground, David slings a stone at Goliath, who falls dramatically, his massive figure dominating the scene. Soldiers and onlookers react with astonishment and fear. In the background, David holds Goliath’s severed head aloft, symbolizing divine justice.
Panel 10: “Solomon and the Queen of Shebah” panel (bottom right on the Gates of Paradise). King Solomon made an alliance with the Pharaoh of Egypt and married his daughter (center). Solomon asked God to become a good leader and he gave him wisdom. People recognized Solomon as a good and wise king (the joyful crowd filling the panel).