The Antelami's Staues
The six statues – the work of the sculptor and architect Benedetto Antelami – can now be admired inside the Diocesan Museum of Parma named after him.
Vista ambiente con Arcangeli e RealiFabbriceria della Cattedrale
The Diocesan Museum “B. Antelami” – The treasures of Piazza Duomo features six statues which were originally placed in the niches obtained on three sides of the Baptistery, facing the square and under the first loggia, were then replaced by copies for conservation reasons.
I profeti Davide e Abacuc by Sono sei le statue antelamiche presenti nel Museo Diocesano “B. Antelami” – I tesori di Piazza Duomo, poste originariamente nelle nicchie ricavate su tre lati del Battistero, volti verso la piazza e sotto il primo loggiato, vennero sostituite da copie per motivi di conservazione.Fabbriceria della Cattedrale
The prophets David and Abacuc
The first two statues were placed in the niche of the northeast side of the Baptistery, both seated with beards and solemn clothes.
I profeti Davide e Abacuc
To the left King David with the crown
and in his left hand the cartouche bearing the inscription DAVIT / P(RO)PHETA.
To the right a venerable old man with headdress: he can be identified with the prophet Abacuc
on the cartouche ET HA(BACUC) / PROPHETA.
After the restoration on all six statues, also traces of polychromy appeared in addition to the writings.
Re Salomone e Regina di SabaFabbriceria della Cattedrale
King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
The statues of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba were in the niche of the big arch to the northwest.
The solemn, noble garments, elegantly moved by longitudinal folds, are inspired by the Roman classicism of tunic and cape.
The cartouche in Solomon’s left hand bears the inscription SALA / MON / REG/INA AU /STRI. In addition to adding adornment to the sides of the Baptistery overlooking the square, the prophets and Queen of Sheba highlighted the universal value of salvation brought by Christ, which was accessed through the Baptistery.
The cartouches of the two groups on which a continuous text is manifestly arranged put them in conversation, as also suggested by the posture of the statues and the mouth ajar.
Arcangeli Gabriele e MicheleFabbriceria della Cattedrale
The archangels Michael and Gabriel
Antelami would consider the Roman statues still present in the province of Parma for his works: the detail is also evident in the statue of the archangel Michael.
Arcangelo MicheleFabbriceria della Cattedrale
The work was taken from a Roman statue, perhaps coming from the monumental square, and with the salient hallmark of drapery: the removable head – a reminder of the Roman multifunctional use of the statues.
The face bears traces of blue polychromy.
Arcangeli Gabriele e MicheleFabbriceria della Cattedrale
The other statue – similar to the previous one in its pattern – depicts the archangel Gabriel.
The two statues were both originally placed in the two niches above the north gate of the Baptistery.
