Original scientific paper
Who was the Donor of the Ivory "Plenarium" from the Treasury of Zagreb Cathedral?
Dino Milinović
; Filozofski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Odsjek za povijest umjetnosti
Abstract
The ivory »plenarium« is the oldest and the most valuable work of art in the Cathedral treasury in Zagreb. The four ivory reliefs with ten iconographic scenes represent probably the richest iconographic program of early medieval art on the territory of Croatia. The iconography follows the well-known Early Christian models, with additions or elaborations typical of Carolingian, Ottonian and Mid-Byzantine art Yet, some of the scenes encourage us to link the Zagreb reliefs with some individual workshops. Especially rare in those terms are the details of the ampulla and mandorla in the scene of the Baptism. Following the vicissitudes of those motifs in Carolingian, Ottonian and Mid-Byzantine art we have reached the conclusion that they should be explained as a sophisticated interplay of Old and New Testament associations emphasizing the role of Christ as a King and a Priest (rex et sacerdos). Such Biblical typology is in harmony with »the theology of power«, typical of Ottonian rulers. The motifs in the Zagreb relief should be linked with the ruler symbolism, helping us to establish the donor of the »plenarium«, in the past usually identifi ed as Duh, the first bishop of Zagreb. The role of the ruler as a possible donor is reinforced by the probable link of the plenarium with the relic of »The True Cross« also preserved in the Zagreb Cathedral treasury. Recalling our previous studies wherein we have established that the »plenarium« was originally a staurotheca of Byzantine type – a reliquary with a particle of the Holy Cross – the appearance of such a valuable gift in the Zagreb Cathedral Treasury may be linked to King Ladislas of Hungary who, having founded the Zagreb Bishopric at the end of the 11th century, is following the practice of the Ottonian rulers. Rich endowment of the newly founded bishopric is a traditional privilege of a pious ruler, and the reliquary with the particle of the Holy Cross is almost certainly a confi rmation of close ties between the Heavenly King and his annointed representative.
Keywords
ivory "plenarium"; iconography; Carolingian art; Mid-Byzantine art; Ottonian art; relic of Holy Cross; evangelization; Zagreb Bishopric; treasury; Ladislas
Hrčak ID:
147951
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2007.
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