Dome

Second pilaster: in the center in the acanthus spirals, David, Solomon, and other Old Testament figures are sculpted with Mary and Jesus at the top; The extent of Maitani's involvement in the creation of the sculpture at the cathedral is disputed. The marble reliefs of Genesis and the Last Judgement on the first and fourth pilasters, the bronze and marble group in the main lunette of the façade, the bronze angels and the Evangelists' Symbols have been seen as stylistically related and have all been attributed to Maitani. The contract of 1310 did allow him to retain some assistants for the sculptural work on the façade, but it seems likely that these craftsmen had already begun the work under the supervision of an earlier master. If his activity as a sculptor is open to question, there is little doubt that Maitani was responsible for coordinating the design and decoration of the lower part of the west front. [Among the sculptors, Vitale Maitani, Niccolo Nuti, Meo Nuti have been traditionally listed.] Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 2/3/2008)