Byzantine and Franciscan Influences During the XIII Century in Pisa, Lucca, Florence, Arezzo and Pistoia. The Spread of the Franciscan Crucifix

Abstract

Two different events caused the existence of influences which were to be of enormous importance for the development of Italian painting during the 13^th century. They were the fall of Constantinople and the apparition of St. Francis.

(1) The following pages were written a considerable time before the Appearance of O. Siren’s new book: Toskanische Maler im XIII Jahrhundert, Berlin, 1922, actually dealing with the painters of Lucca, Pisa and Florence, and, with the exception of the addition of a few works previously unknown to me, I have in no way changed my opinion on this subject. The numerous divergencies that the reader will observe in our respective writings are mainly due to our different methods. My conviction, which I expounded in the introduction to this volume, is that, in the case of the 13^th century artists, who not only were inspired by common models but frequently attempted slavish imitations, we require a particularly strong degree of similarity, practically even identity of forms, before attributing different works to the same artist. In this respect Mr. Siren is more liberal, for in many instances where he ascribes a group of works to one artist, I differentiate between those of master and pupil, and where he speaks of painters and their schools it is in vain that I look for the connection entitling the use of the latter expression. I do not think that it is necessary to point out on each occasion where Mr. Siren and I hold different opinions. During the 13th century there were a great many artists but very few works of that period have been handed down to us. That several productions from one hand survive may happen, but it is exceptional, and this is another reason why, in dealing with the 13^th century, we should refrain from making identifications and attributions, and from creating new artists as Mr. Siren has made a habit of doing.

The erratum of this chapter is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-0933-6_14