The Sources of Donatello's Pulpits in San Lorenzo

Abstract

THE bronze pulpits executed by Donatello for the church of San Lorenzo in Florence confront the investigator with something of a paradox.¹ They stand today on either side of Brunelleschi's nave in the last bay toward the crossing.² The one on the left side (facing the altar, see text fig.) contains six scenes of Christ's earthly Passion, from the Agony in the Garden through the Entombment (Fig. 1); that on the right contains five of the post-Passion miracles, from the Marys at the Tomb through the Pentecost, and in addition the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence (Fig. 2).