ost likely they were also taken from the Old Testament. Each of these prophets is in the motion of some type of action. Their action is probably what they were known for and why they became Prophets. Again, Ghiberti gives each a three-dimensional pose. He is past the old ways of symmetry and each figure looks realistic in pose. They have a weight shifted stance that adds to the realism of each. The detail on each is also magnificent. The folds in the garment are clearly depicted. The way the clothes drape on the bodies is also realistic. They gather more on one side as opposed to the other side. The way the bodies limbs press underneath the garments also show great attention to detail. There are 24 heads also placed on the outside of the panels. The people that these heads depict are unknown. The only head that is known is of Ghiberti himself. His head is located at the lower right corner of the Jacob and Esau panel. As you can tell by his self-portrayal, Ghiberti was a man about 30-40 years of age. Again, Ghiberti chose to pay great attention to detail for these heads. The way the heads were fashioned is like the techniques used by the Romans. Their heads come out of a circular ring, and part of their upper body is visible. The ways in which the heads are sculpted give them a background shadow that adds to their three-dimensionalism. Its been argued that the people that these heads represent friends of Ghiberti. The perspective used in each of the panels is unique. They all use linear perspective, which Ghiberti became known for. Like Massacio, Ghiberti used the perspective of building and how they relate to certain viewpoints. As the figures and buildings recede into the background, they all have a certain detail of spatial depth. The figures and buildings in the background are considerably smaller than those in the foreground are. The scenery in the background adds to the sense of depth in the panels. If you look at a certain panel,...
