Short communication, Note
Depiction of Facial Nerve Paresis in the Gallery of Portraits Carved in Stone by George Matthew the Dalmatian on the Šibenik Cathedral Dating from the 15th Century
Ante Škrobonja
Tatjana Čulina
Abstract
The introductory segment of this paper briefly describes George Matthew the Dalmatian, the architect who, between
1441 and 1473, oversaw the construction of the Cathedral of St. James in [ibenik, a city on the Croatian side of the Adriatic
coast. Of the most impressive details included in this monumental construction and sculptural flamboyant gothic
production infused with distinctive Dalmatian spirit is a frieze of 71 stone and three lion portraits encircling the outer
apse wall. From the intriguing amalgamation of portraits of anonymous people this master came across in his surrounding,
the fiftieth head in the row has been selected for this occasion. On the face of a younger man the authors have recognized
and described pathognomonic right-sided facial nerve paresis. The question posed here is whether this is coincidental
or it represents the master’s courage, given that instead of famous people in the cathedral he situated not only
ordinary people but also those »labelled« and traditionally marginalized, thus, in the most beautiful manner, foreshadowing
the forthcoming spirit of Humanism and Renaissance in Croatian and European art.
Keywords
facial nerve paresis; medicine and art; 15th century; George Matthew the Dalmatian; [ibenik; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
69164
URI
Publication date:
24.6.2011.
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