Benedetto Antelami facts for kids
Benedetto Antelami (born around 1150, died around 1230) was a very important Italian architect and sculptor from the Romanesque period. This was a style of art and building popular in Europe before the Gothic style. We don't know much about his early life, but he was probably from a region in Italy called Lombardy.
Many art experts believe he learned his skills in Provence, a region in France. His unique style of sculpture came from local traditions in northern Italy, mixed with ideas from ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire.
In 1178, Benedetto Antelami was working at the Parma Cathedral. Here, he created a famous stone carving called a bas-relief (a sculpture that sticks out from a flat surface). This carving shows the Deposition from the Cross, which means Jesus being taken down from the cross. His name and the year 1178 are carved into this artwork.
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Working on the Parma Baptistry
Later, in 1196, Antelami started working on the Baptistry of Parma. This is a special building where people were baptized. He was likely the architect who designed this building too.
Between 1196 and 1214, he created many sculptures for the Baptistry. He made carvings for the lunettes (the half-moon shaped spaces above doorways). On the outside, these carvings show the Adoration of the Magi (the Three Wise Men visiting baby Jesus), the Last Judgement, and a picture that tells a story about life.
Inside the Baptistry, his carvings show the Flight into Egypt (when Jesus's family fled to Egypt), the Presentation at the Temple, and David playing the harp. You can also see sculptures of the months and seasons inside. These were probably meant for the Cathedral's front entrance, but his work was stopped when he died.
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Other Important Works
Benedetto Antelami's sculptures can also be found in the Fidenza Cathedral. This church is dedicated to Saint Domninus of Fidenza.
Some experts also believe that the main west door of the Basilica di San Marco in Venice was made by Antelami or artists who worked with him. Also, the current version of the Holy Face of Lucca (a famous wooden crucifix) is thought to be from his artistic group.
Traveling and Influence
There are some interesting similarities between Antelami's sculptures and figures found on the Chartres Cathedral in France, which were made around 1213. This suggests that he might have traveled when he was in his 50s. If he traveled, it's possible that more of his amazing artwork could be found in other places he visited!
See also
In Spanish: Benedetto Antelami para niños
Images for kids
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Deposition, 1178 (Duomo of Parma).
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Citole player, Baptistry of Parma, c. 1180
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Three Wise Men, Museo d'Arte Antica in Milan.
