GILDED PARADISE
FEBRUARY 20 TO OCTOBER 24, 2026
"They are truly worthy to be the Gates of Paradise."
10 years ago, a phenomenal discovery was made: dozens of gypsum casts, molded decades before from one of the most influential sculptures in history. It was the Gates of Paradise, Lorenzo Ghiberti's (1425-1452) iconic doors for Florence's Baptistery of San Giovanni, rendered near perfectly in plaster, but in desperate need of repair. The BYU Museum of Art has spent the last decade researching, restoring, and gilding this 18-foot-tall recast Renaissance masterpiece. Now, our very own Gates of Paradise are finally ready to be seen in all their grandeur.
On Friday, February 20, this marvelous golden wonder, featuring 10 stories and hundreds of figures from the Old Testament, will be unveiled. See it for yourself. Hear the details of its miraculous rediscovery. Feel the detail of 3D printed copies of its panels. Stand in awe before this beacon of faith and artistic mastery, a true celebration of the beauty of God and His creation, at its new permanent home in the BYU Museum of Art.
Preview the Gates of Paradise:
Lorenzo Ghiberti (1378-1455), panels from The Gates of Paradise: Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and His Family, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and His Brothers, Moses and the Israelites, Joshua and Jericho, David and Goliath, and Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. 1452, gilded gypsum cast of the original, c. 1947-1948, Brigham Young University Museum of Art, with generous support from Bill and Barbara Benac, 2016. After this opening exhibition ends in October 2026, the Gates of Paradise will be moved to a permanent home in the MOA's West Lied Gallery.
