MONREALE CATHEDRAL, Exterior Smaller Portal And Apse

At the beginning of the left side of the cathedral, there is an elegant sixteenth-century portal, under which there is a smaller door commonly used as a way into the church. This door also has bronze panels applied on wooden casements, and was crafted by Barisano da Trani between 1186 and 1190. It is divided into 28 squares and was made using a technique more similar to goldsmithing than sculpture. If you’ve already seen the door on the facade, it’ll be easy to compare the two works: Bonanno had a profound interest in expressing human sentiments, despite the concise artistic expression, while Barisano’s work, although he sometimes used the same shapes, is more superficial and decorative, more rigid and less fanciful. On one of the squares are the Latin words Barisanus Tranensis me fecit, meaning “made by Barisano from Trani”, and it shows a self-portrait of the artist kneeling at the feet of one of the saints.

Now press pause and move to the back of the Cathedral....