With fewer than a dozen of these replicas still intact and even fewer on display, this replica stands as an important addition to BYU.

Ghiberti’s work depicting stories from the Old Testament is one of the most important pieces from the early Renaissance and was praised by Michelangelo.

The exhibition, titled “Gilded Paradise,” opened Feb. 20 and will remain on display through October 2026. It includes immersive projections of Florence on the walls around the Gates. After the exhibition, the Gates will take their place in the MOA atrium.

“This piece isn’t just anywhere,” said Samantha Atzbach, a former student assistant who helped restore the piece. “There aren’t many copies of it, so for BYU to have (one) is very unique and important. It will be a great educational resource for the entire region.”

Photo by Jaren Wilkey

As part of the exhibition opening, Jewish leader Maeera Schreiber, Muslim leader Imam Ahmad Salah and Catholic leader Monsignor Timothy Verdon participated in an interfaith panel, discussing the biblical scenes depicted on the Gates.

“It’s culturally significant … but it’s also a work of dedication to God,” said previous student assistant Rhys Price. “And I think that’s in line with our goals here at Brigham Young University and with our duty as Christians.”

An evening celebration, “Art After Dark,” provided live music, refreshments and activities for students to explore the new exhibit and see the large panels up close.

Art historian Elliott Wise, Head Fabricator John Adams and MOA Director Janalee Emmer were instrumental in the restoration and celebration of the Gates.

“It is a profound honor to be entrusted with this plaster cast of Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise,” Emmer said. “We have accepted this responsibility with humility … and we hope visitors will be inspired and amazed by the remarkable story of its journey from Florence to Provo for generations to come.”

The panels were transferred to Provo 10 years ago, and the long restoration process began. This included repairing damage, restoring lost detail, applying gold leaf, building custom structural support and prepping for installation.

Much of this work was made possible by students, who contributed an estimated 13,000 hours of work over the course of a decade under the direction of a professional team led by Adams.

Students from a variety of majors gained hands-on experience and developed specialized skills while helping bring the sculptures back to life.

“As a student … there’s always something due in my classes, and things have to be rushed,” said previous student assistant Rachel Maughan. “But here I get to (make) sure that these relief sculptures, the figures, the plaster molds themselves are correct. … It’s really nice to … focus on growing those skills and treating it like Ghiberti would.”

The original Gates of Paradise were created by Ghiberti between 1425 and 1452 as the doors of the Florence Baptistery. The Gates were considered revolutionary for their realism and depth and stood 17 feet tall with 10 ornate panels — a scale and detail not easily recreated.

To preserve the design, molds were taken shortly after World War II, and the replica currently displayed at the MOA was cast from those molds in the 1980s. After being acquired by BYU-Hawaii and stored in crates for 32 years, they were rediscovered by former BYU art education professor and current service missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sharon Gray.

With so few replicas of the Gates of Paradise remaining in the world, the exhibition represents a rare opportunity. Its display — made possible by years of dedicated student work — ensures that this Renaissance masterpiece will educate and inspire visitors for generations to come.