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La fisiognomica scolpita nel Duecento
The article proposes a comparative analysis of some texts and sculptures, from the middle XIIth century to the middle XIIIth century, that, in author’s opinion, can explain the much discussed origins of the « gothic » naturalism. In the first part, the author gives a critical review of some historiografic discussions on this crucial art-historical problem, from Vöge to Sauerländer, Büchsel, and Recht. Since a necessity of studying the renaissance of physiognomy in that precise period was many times formulated, the second part of the article tries to reassess the importance of the Liber physonomie, written by Michael Scot around 1230 and still unedited. The first critical edition of this first western latin physiognomical treatise is now being prepared by the author. Here, he tries to find parallels in Scot’s view on homo organicus and the well known naturalistic trends not only in Frederick II’s Regnum, but also in the North, from Chartres and Reims to Bamberg and Naumburg.