Lorenzo Ghiberti: The Gates Of Paradise; Trajan's Column

These two programs are the initial releases in a series of educational and cultural titles that will ultimately consist of nearly 500 entries. Produced by the distributors of the prestigious Italian Encyclopedia, both programs reviewed share strong visual values and scholarly, yet generally accessible, attention to detail. Lorenzo Ghiberti: The Gates of Paradise begins with host Robert Milli setting the scene with a discussion of Italian art and sculpture of the 15th century-poised, as it was, between the stark, sharp style of the Medieval period and the full-bodied celebration of the Renaissance. Into this creative evolution in the arts stepped Lorenzo Ghiberti, a 15th century architect, who was commissioned to sculpt a series of panels for one of the sets of doors in the Florence Baptistry. In 1452, Ghiberti completed the narrative panels that would form the doors that would come to be called the "Gates of Paradise". The program takes a close-up look at each of the Old Testament panels which depict, in incredible detail, key stories of the Bible: Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah's Ark, Solomon and Sheba, Abraham and Israel, Jacob and Esau, etc. A beautiful video presentation of a premier work of art. After a brief introduction setting the social and military milieu of the second-century Roman emperor Trajan, Trajan's Column takes a look at the magnificent 600 ft. spiral column which shows Trajan's military victories over the Dacians. Every foot of the masterwork which the eye cannot encompass alone-is covered, and the program concludes with the unfortunate fact that due to pollutants in the atmosphere and ground vibrations, Trajan's Column is literally melting away. The first title is the more colorful of the two, although both are recommended. (Available from: Baker & Taylor Video, 501 S. Gladiolus, Momence, IL 60954.)