The Lateran Baptistery (Italian: Battistero lateranense, also known as San Giovanni in Fonte or San Giovanni in Onda) stands apart from the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome, to which it has become joined by later construction. This baptistery was founded by Pope Sixtus III in 440, perhaps on an earlier structure, for a legend grew up that Constantine the Great had been baptized there and enriched the structure. However, it is more likely that if he was baptized it was in the Eastern part of the Roman Empire and possibly by an Arian bishop.[1] This baptistry was for many generations the only baptistery in Rome, and its domed octagonal structure, centered upon the large octagonal basin for full immersions, provided a model for others throughout Italy, and even an iconic motif of illuminated manuscripts, "The fountain of Life".
Around the central area, where is the basin of the font, an octagon is formed by eight porphyry columns, with marbleCorinthian capitals and entablature of classical form. On the ceiling of the Baptistry is the story of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312 AD). An ambulatory surrounds the font and outer walls form a larger octagon. Attached to one side, towards the Lateran Basilica, is a fine porch with two porphyry columns and richly carved capitals, bases and entablatures.
The Baptistery was subject to an elaborate restoration during the pontificate of Pope Urban VIII. While its interior architecture was consolidated and embellished after plans of Gian Lorenzo Bernini around 1633,[2] a fresco cycle with scenes from the life of Constantine was added by Andrea Sacchi on the walls of the ambulatory.
In the meantime the early Christian liturgy of Easter baptisms was reanimated by the Baroque popes, baptizing adult "turchi ed ebrei" ("Turks and Jews") in a public ceremony on Easter eve.[3]
Its plain brick exterior was embellished with a frieze designed by Francesco Borromini in the late 1650s or early 1660s, incorporating the arms of Pope Alexander VII.[4]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lateran Baptistry (Rome).
Battisterio Lateranense; based on Giuseppe Vasi's engravings and his Itinerario 1761.
High-resolution 360° Panoramas and Images of Lateran Baptistery | Art Atlas[permanent dead link]
Interactive Nolli Map Website
Citationsedit
^Head, Thomas, Medieval Hagiography, p. 93, note, 19
^Benincampi, I. (2020, January 25). Bernini e San Giovanni in Fonte: Considerazioni a margine dell’Architettura del Battistero. Academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/41735820/Bernini_e_San_Giovanni_in_Fonte_considerazioni_a_margine_dell_architettura_del_battistero "A ogni modo, un contributo fondamentale all’opera di rinnovamento del battistero venne offerto dalla consulenza che vi prestò Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) il quale, coinvoltovi dal papa suo mecenate e sostenitore, fu delegato attorno al 1633 alla supervisione delle opere in corso di realizzazione22."
^Kirsten Lee Bierbaum: Die Ausstattung des Lateranbaptisteriums unter Urban VIII. Petersberg 2014
lateran, baptistery, italian, battistero, lateranense, also, known, giovanni, fonte, giovanni, onda, stands, apart, from, archbasilica, saint, john, lateran, rome, which, become, joined, later, construction, this, baptistery, founded, pope, sixtus, perhaps, ea. The Lateran Baptistery Italian Battistero lateranense also known as San Giovanni in Fonte or San Giovanni in Onda stands apart from the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran Rome to which it has become joined by later construction This baptistery was founded by Pope Sixtus III in 440 perhaps on an earlier structure for a legend grew up that Constantine the Great had been baptized there and enriched the structure However it is more likely that if he was baptized it was in the Eastern part of the Roman Empire and possibly by an Arian bishop 1 This baptistry was for many generations the only baptistery in Rome and its domed octagonal structure centered upon the large octagonal basin for full immersions provided a model for others throughout Italy and even an iconic motif of illuminated manuscripts The fountain of Life Lateran BaptisteryBattistero lateranenseWide angle photo of interiorClick on the map for a fullscreen view 41 53 10 14 N 12 30 15 44 E 41 8861500 N 12 5042889 E 41 8861500 12 5042889LocationRomeCountryItalyArchitectureArchitectural typeBaptisteryGroundbreaking440 Around the central area where is the basin of the font an octagon is formed by eight porphyry columns with marble Corinthian capitals and entablature of classical form On the ceiling of the Baptistry is the story of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge 312 AD An ambulatory surrounds the font and outer walls form a larger octagon Attached to one side towards the Lateran Basilica is a fine porch with two porphyry columns and richly carved capitals bases and entablatures The Baptistery was subject to an elaborate restoration during the pontificate of Pope Urban VIII While its interior architecture was consolidated and embellished after plans of Gian Lorenzo Bernini around 1633 2 a fresco cycle with scenes from the life of Constantine was added by Andrea Sacchi on the walls of the ambulatory In the meantime the early Christian liturgy of Easter baptisms was reanimated by the Baroque popes baptizing adult turchi ed ebrei Turks and Jews in a public ceremony on Easter eve 3 Its plain brick exterior was embellished with a frieze designed by Francesco Borromini in the late 1650s or early 1660s incorporating the arms of Pope Alexander VII 4 Contents 1 Gallery 2 See also 3 External links 4 CitationsGallery edit nbsp Exterior nbsp Interior nbsp Dome interior nbsp Baptismal font nbsp Religious service at baptismal font nbsp Chapel of San Venanzio nbsp Carlo Maratta distruzione degli idoli nbsp Outside chapelSee also editLateran Obelisk History of Roman and Byzantine domesExternal links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lateran Baptistry Rome Battisterio Lateranense based on Giuseppe Vasi s engravings and his Itinerario 1761 High resolution 360 Panoramas and Images of Lateran Baptistery Art Atlas permanent dead link Interactive Nolli Map WebsiteCitations edit Head Thomas Medieval Hagiography p 93 note 19 Benincampi I 2020 January 25 Bernini e San Giovanni in Fonte Considerazioni a margine dell Architettura del Battistero Academia edu https www academia edu 41735820 Bernini e San Giovanni in Fonte considerazioni a margine dell architettura del battistero A ogni modo un contributo fondamentale all opera di rinnovamento del battistero venne offerto dalla consulenza che vi presto Gian Lorenzo Bernini 1598 1680 il quale coinvoltovi dal papa suo mecenate e sostenitore fu delegato attorno al 1633 alla supervisione delle opere in corso di realizzazione22 Kirsten Lee Bierbaum Die Ausstattung des Lateranbaptisteriums unter Urban VIII Petersberg 2014 Blunt A 1983 Two neglected works by Borromini Romisches Jahrbuch der Bibliotheca Hertziana https journals ub uni heidelberg de index php rjbh article view 83031 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lateran Baptistery amp oldid 1193740560, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
