The painting is in the Greek manner, as is
also the general character of the draperies. The small, ill-drawn feet
are by no means comparable with the heads.
The Imperial crown is square, like those of the Magi in the Bremen MS.
now in the Library of Brussels, or like that of Baldwin as Emperor of
Constantinople. In the several enthronements which occur among the
Imperial miniatures at Munich there are important and significant
differences which might not be noticed unless pointed out.
The changes in the shape and treatment of the orb, for instance, mean
more than a mere advance in enrichment, or an improvement in artistic
skill. The difference indicates a change in political usage. In the
miniature of Charles it does not occur at all; in that of Otho III. it
is a mere symbol; in that of Henry II. it is the actual emblem of
sovereignty presented by the Pope to the Emperor, to be held by the
latter in token of his investiture.
It was Selden's opinion that the orb, surmounted by the cross, never
appears in western art until the time of Henry II. Thus it is here one
of the many seemingly insignificant details which, in the miniature art
of the Middle Ages, contribute to the elucidation of History.
CHAPTER XV
FRANCONIAN ILLUMINATION
The later Saxon schools--Bernward of Hildesheim--Tuotilo and Hartmut of
St.
Pages:
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119