The Medieval Armenian Symbol of Eternity in the Art of the Twelfth-Century Italian Sculptor Nicholaus: A Veiled Performance
Lorenzo Dominioni|Antranik Balian
Abstract The medieval Armenian symbol of eternity – a whirl sign is engraved in the forehead five bull sculptures dated to first half twelfth century, attributable workshop Italian sculptor Nicholaus. an ancient sacred associated with eternal life, not specific any religion or culture, that has persisted for millennia. following carvings display closely resembling geometric engravure: apse frieze Koenigslutter Kaiserdom (Lower Saxony), pulpit Sacra di Carpi (Modena), “Creation animals” panel S. Zeno Basilica (Verona), Verona Cathedral porch, and Ferrara narthex. This symbol, generally ignored by Western Christian art after Carolingian period, was revisited Nicholaus workshop. We argue small, hitherto overlooked engraving made these artists head Koenigslutter, Carpi, veiled ornamental performance displaying signify concept life hereafter. Here immediate inspiration source likely Armenian, because early century foreign religious decorations while it deeply rooted art. his atelier were familiar leaved cross traditional motifs symbolizing hereafter inspired them some their works. In decorative reliefs façade, porch frieze, various examples metamorphosis into naturalistic foliate are extant, witnessing atelier’s versatile sculptural conceptualizing everlasting life.
Journal of the Society for Armenian Studies