BARISANO DA TRANI

BARISANO of Trani. — Sculptor and bronze founder of the 12th century. The doors of the cathedral of Trani (1175), those of the cathedral of Ravello (1179), and the side door of the cathedral of Monreale are his work.

In these works B. arranges within recessed frames adorned with decorative motifs drawn from the plastic tradition of Apulia, from bronzes, ivories, and Eastern miniatures, images or groups of figures that stand out from the smooth background of the panels with a vivid sense of plastic values pursued with a solid and supple manner of modeling. His iconographic themes belong almost entirely to the Eastern tradition, often interpreted with original and frank spontaneity. — See Plate LVII.