The subject of this paper is a typological classification of the acanthus ornamentation of the Czech manuscripts from the 14th – 15th centuries. The definition of the four types of Czech acanthus ornaments is studied in relation to their genesis and their sources in the illumination in Bohemia, Italy and Western Europe. The ornamentation of the manuscripts of the followed period is confronted with its resources and parallels in the contemporary sculpture and applied arts. The modifications of the types of acanthus is followed in the context of the relations of the Prague workshops with the regional production in the Czech Lands and also from the standpoint of their possible influence on the evolvement of acanthus ornament in the illumination of the Western and Central Europe of the 15 and early 16th centuries. The paper deals also with the possibilities of the content interpretation of the ornament decoration of the Medieval manuscripts and offers other questions and problems to be solved in the further study of this theme.
The subject of this paper is a typological classification of the acanthus ornamentation of the Czech manuscripts from the 14th – 15th centuries. The definition of the four types of Czech acanthus ornaments is studied in relation to their genesis and their sources in the illumination in Bohemia, Italy and Western Europe. The ornamentation of the manuscripts of the followed period is confronted with its resources and parallels in the contemporary sculpture and applied arts. The modifications of the types of acanthus is followed in the context of the relations of the Prague workshops with the regional production in the Czech Lands and also from the standpoint of their possible influence on the evolvement of acanthus ornament in the illumination of the Western and Central Europe of the 15 and early 16th centuries. The paper deals also with the possibilities of the content interpretation of the ornament decoration of the Medieval manuscripts and offers other questions and problems to be solved in the further study of this theme.
The subject of this paper is a typological classification of the acanthus ornamentation of the Czech manuscripts from the 14th – 15th centuries. The definition of the four types of Czech acanthus ornaments is studied in relation to their genesis and their sources in the illumination in Bohemia, Italy and Western Europe. The ornamentation of the manuscripts of the followed period is confronted with its resources and parallels in the contemporary sculpture and applied arts. The modifications of the types of acanthus is followed in the context of the relations of the Prague workshops with the regional production in the Czech Lands and also from the standpoint of their possible influence on the evolvement of acanthus ornament in the illumination of the Western and Central Europe of the 15 and early 16th centuries. The paper deals also with the possibilities of the content interpretation of the ornament decoration of the Medieval manuscripts and offers other questions and problems to be solved in the further study of this theme.
By a detailed analysis of decoration and collation of this manuscript it was found out that three principal masters participated in its decoration. The top quality of the decoration can be found in the work of the first master continuing the Byzantine, Venetian, and Saxon-Thuringian creation. The second master uses the first master´s work. The work of the third master is quite different as it is connected with original Bohemian production – with the Mater verborum manuscript. This different quality of illuminations allows to suppose that the codex originated in a scriptorium acting somewhere in Bohemia and employing a number of artists and their helpmates.
By a detailed analysis of decoration and collation of this manuscript it was found out that three principal masters participated in its decoration. The top quality of the decoration can be found in the work of the first master continuing the Byzantine, Venetian, and Saxon-Thuringian creation. The second master uses the first master´s work. The work of the third master is quite different as it is connected with original Bohemian production – with the Mater verborum manuscript. This different quality of illuminations allows to suppose that the codex originated in a scriptorium acting somewhere in Bohemia and employing a number of artists and their helpmates.
By a detailed analysis of decoration and collation of this manuscript it was found out that three principal masters participated in its decoration. The top quality of the decoration can be found in the work of the first master continuing the Byzantine, Venetian, and Saxon-Thuringian creation. The second master uses the first master´s work. The work of the third master is quite different as it is connected with original Bohemian production – with the Mater verborum manuscript. This different quality of illuminations allows to suppose that the codex originated in a scriptorium acting somewhere in Bohemia and employing a number of artists and their helpmates.
On the basis of the formal and iconographical analysis, after evaluation of the existing literature and taking in consideration hypothetical cultural historical circumstances of the creation of the manuscript, the author of the paper suggests to consider the manuscript a Bolognese school product – from the style group dating to the turning of 1320s and 1330s (in connection with Master from 1328 and his circle and with ties to painters active before Vitale da Bologna, as a point of departure for further development in Val Padana and in Veneto) and supposes that the cardinal Bertrand du Pojet might be a receiver of the manuscript. Dating is shift ed between 1331–1333 on the basis of the research results and on connections with the historical activities of the Luxembourg dynasty members in Italy in that time.
On the basis of the formal and iconographical analysis, after evaluation of the existing literature and taking in consideration hypothetical cultural historical circumstances of the creation of the manuscript, the author of the paper suggests to consider the manuscript a Bolognese school product – from the style group dating to the turning of 1320s and 1330s (in connection with Master from 1328 and his circle and with ties to painters active before Vitale da Bologna, as a point of departure for further development in Val Padana and in Veneto) and supposes that the cardinal Bertrand du Pojet might be a receiver of the manuscript. Dating is shift ed between 1331–1333 on the basis of the research results and on connections with the historical activities of the Luxembourg dynasty members in Italy in that time.
On the basis of the formal and iconographical analysis, after evaluation of the existing literature and taking in consideration hypothetical cultural historical circumstances of the creation of the manuscript, the author of the paper suggests to consider the manuscript a Bolognese school product – from the style group dating to the turning of 1320s and 1330s (in connection with Master from 1328 and his circle and with ties to painters active before Vitale da Bologna, as a point of departure for further development in Val Padana and in Veneto) and supposes that the cardinal Bertrand du Pojet might be a receiver of the manuscript. Dating is shift ed between 1331–1333 on the basis of the research results and on connections with the historical activities of the Luxembourg dynasty members in Italy in that time.
The paper focuses on the patronage of Cardinal Jacoppo Stefaneschi (died 1343) viewed from the perspective of book and monumental painting in the context of more general problems. First it analyses the relationship between the aesthetically discerning patron and Giotto, a celebrated artist tending towards a different style orientation and then it outlines some conceivable ramifications of this association for the further development of Giotto´s workshop. It examines the possible iconographic significance of the Stefaneschi altar in the period political context, and following this proposes more precise dating of the Stefaneschi Triptych and the Codex of St George. This layer of Italian art is immensely inspiring for the subsequent development of Bohemian painting in the period of the Luxembourgs.