Formen der Anonymität und des Individualismus in der Kunst des Mittelalters und der Renaissance
Heinrich Klotz
In the field of history simplistic dichotomy "modern individualism" and "medieval anonymity" has long since been discarded except as textbook rhetoric. But in art formulation lives on. The dogma anonymity medieval will not stand up under close historical scrutiny. examples this paper indicate some ways which artists patrons made their names known. first illustration from a north-Italian gospel ca. 600 A. D., words found center decorative cross, "ego Valerianus scripsi", clearly identify scribe. placement signature may be explained by Galatians 6,14 "God forbid that I should boast anything but cross our Lord Jesus Christ". This verse, often quoted middle ages, is one most explicit New Testament calls to personal humility would seem condemn any artist's signature. however, had used naively literal interpretation justify "boasting" his work placing it "in cross". formula for could also circumvent closed system pious anonymity. expression abject itself become vehicle artist or writer make name dialectic desire recognition need against danger sin pride continued far into modern era (see, instance, Descartes' introduction Meditations). Depending on degree piety traditional formulae (literary pictorial) ground legitimation monk Fra Bartolomeo placed at feet Mary only plea "Pray painter" (Figs. 2 5)--an example high Renaissance Mariotto Albertinelli, same workshop, signed painting while carefully emphasizing humble (Figs 3 4). Figures 6 through 16 Valerianus's use legitimize was no means unique. From Carolingian tombs family crests, identification justified association with cross. Figure 17 we see break tradition Pauline stricture boastfulness simply ignored new, self-consciously bourgeois-courtly society freed centuries moral-theological pressure exaggerated individualism thirst fame characteristic early best understood background tension--the ideal real individual recognition--a expressed many ingenious circumventions demand At threshold Savonarola recognized even unrealized ideals selflessness were falling away. His attempt re-introduce them makes clearer intense ambiguous antinomy personhood.
Gesta