356 TJieory as to the Origin of the Crosses 



formed between Italy and other countries of Europe during the Middle 

 Ages by the presence of Transalpine monks in the monasteries of 

 northern Italy. ^ 



The sculptors whose work we have to consider were Wiligelmus and 

 Niccolo, or WilHam and Nicholas ; and their activities extended 

 over the early part of the 12th century. ^ Their first notable work 

 was done under the direction of the architect Lanfranc on the cathedral 

 of Modena, which was consecrated in 1106. They worked together 

 at Cremona, probably before 1114, at Nonantola before 1117, and 

 at Piacenza soon after 1122. About 1135 they seem to have been 

 associated at Ferrara, where William was perhaps chiefly responsible 

 for the general design, and Nicholas for the details ; then again on 

 the facade of San Zeno, at Verona, completed in 1139, where most 

 of the carving seems to have been done by Nicholas. ^ 



These two artists differed more or less in style, that of WiUiam 

 being the severer and more archaic ; his figures angular and recti- 

 linear, with large, long noses, and stiff locks of hair ; and the general 

 effect often what Venturi describes as grandiose. Nicholas was 

 simpler, more youthful in spirit, more bourgeois and less archaic, and 

 exhibited greater variety.* The faces of his personages are broad 

 and squat, and they are shorter of stature, in contradistinction to 

 the figures of William.^ 



Of the origins of these two men nothing is known, but there has 

 been speculation concerning the possibly Germanic provenience of 

 Wilham. However this be, their works are clearly recognizable 

 as forming a distinct group, resembhng rather the art of France than 

 that of central and southern Italy ^ ; and, what is not less remarkable, 

 these sculptures are earlier than those in France which they most 

 resemble, so that France may really have been the debtor. 



1 Cf. Venturi, Storia delV Arte Ital. 3. 113-4, who says that strangers were 

 more numerous than Itahans in certain monasteries of northern Italy in 

 the 11th century— that, for example, of 161 priests nominated in 1037 by 

 Olderico, Bishop of Brescia, there were only 25 who were not either German 

 or French. 



^ For a somewhat detailed discussion of their activities, see Venturi 3. 

 150-197 ; and cf. Venturi 3. 120 ; Rivoira, Lomb. Arch. 1. 221 ; 2. 121 ; 

 Michel, Hist, de VArt P. 696-700. 



3 Venturi 3. 186. 



" Venturi 3. 160, 170, 172. 



5 Venturi 3. 160 ; cf. p. 158. 



« Michel P. 697. 

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