Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 20.djvu/220

* VISCHER. 172 VISCONTI. mention. Two characteristic works are the state- ly mouuments of "Ar^-hbishop Ernst of Saxony" (1495, ilagdeburg Cathedral), and of "Bishop Johann Rotli" (1490. Breslau Cathedral), in which the master has already abandoned the eon- rentioual forms of his father's productions, and yielded to the realism of the Nuremberg school. During the ten years following the completion of these important works, a change in Viseher's artistic views seems to have freed him from the trammels of the prevailing style and led him to a more elaborate mode of conception, exemplified in beauty in his master creation, the '"Tomb of Saint Sebaldus" (1508-19), in the church of that saint, at Xuremberg. the most popular plastic monument of German art. Destined as a shrine for the silver sarcophagus (of 1.397) containing the remains of the patron saint of his native city, this superb work, in which he was assisted by liis five sons, has perhaps only one counterpart among all the plastic productions of the Christian Era, in Ghiberti's bronze gate at Florence. Other prominent works outside of Nuremberg, are the "ilonument to Cardinal Frederick" (1510. Cracow Cathedral); the statues of "King Arthur" and "King Theodorie" (both 1513). in the famous monument of "Em- peror Maximilian," at Innsbruck; and the "Epitaph of Jlargaretha Tucher" (1521. Eegensburg Cathe- dral ). representing the meeting of Christ with the sisters of Lazarus and of which there is a faithful reproduction (1543) by Hans Vischer in the National Museum at ilunich ; finally there are to be noted as highly important the monu- ments of "Cardinal Albrecht von Brandenlmrg" (1525, Stiftskirehe, Aschafi'enburg). and of the "Elector Frederick the Wise" (1527. Schloss- kirche, Wittenberg), the last of which, distin- guished for its especially delicate and tasteful treatment of detail, is for the greater part to be attributed to Peter the Younger. After the elder Viseher's death, on January 7. 1529, his foundi-y continued to receive abun- dant commissions for about a decade longer, with the execution of which Hans Vischer must be credited. The most noteworthy of these are the double monument of the "Electors Johann Cicero and Joachim I." ( 1530. Berlin Cathedral), and the monument of "John the Constant" (1534, Schlosskirche, Wittenberg). Consult: Bergau, in Dohme, Kuiist mid Kiinstler, vol i. (Leipzig, 187S) : Bauer, I'rt/r Visclicr iinrl das alte yUrn- herr/ (Berlin, IHSO) ; Bode, (Icsckichte der deulschcn Phiiilif: (ib„ 1887) ; WcizsiicJcer, "Peter Vischer, Vater und Sohn," in Repcrtorium fitr Kiinsticissenschaft, vol. xxiii.(ib., 1900) ; and Ree. in Allf/emeinc deutsche Bioyriiphic, vol. xl. (Lcipzi-r. 189(1). VISCONTI, vte-k6n'tf. A celebrated family of Ltimlianly. The first of the name who appears prominently in history is Ottone, who became, in 1078, Viscount of the Archbishopric of Milan. In 12(i3 anotlicr Ottone (1208-95) was appointed Archbishop of Jlilan by Po])e Trban IV. His appiiintnient was opposed by the jiopular party, headi'd by -Martino dcUa Torre, liut Ottone came off victorious in the struggle with the Torriani, and established his sway in Milan. The contest was continued by his grand-nephew, Matted ( 12.')0-1322), who' was apjiointed Imperial vicar in 1295. Mattco proved liimself a prudent and temperate ruler. Expelled by the Torriani and their allies in 1302, he was restored in 1311 by the aid of the Emperor Henry VII., and reap- pointed Imperial vicar in consideration of the payment of 40.000 Uorius. Pavia, Alessandria, Tortona, Cremona, Bergamo, and Lodi were forced to acknowledge his authority. A quarrel, however, arose with Pope John XXII., regarding the appointment to the ililan archiepiscopate; and ilatteo was excommunicated. JIatteo died in the same year, having previously abdi- cated. His .son, Gale.zzo I. (1277-1328), was chosen his successor, and immediately the Pope proclaimed a crusade against the heretical Vis- conti, and an army under Raymond of Cardona advanced in 1323 on Milan. The Emperor Louis IV. sent aid to the Visconti and the crusaders were totally defeated at Vavrio, on the Adda ( 1324). Soon after Galeazzo, by the intrigues of his ambitious brother Marco, was exiled, but his eldest son, Azzo (1302-39), succeeded him, while the Antipope Nicholas V. confirmed the third .son, GiovAxxi, in the archiepiscopate. Azzo was the greatest prince of the race, ruled ililan wisely and well, and extended his sway over almost the whole of Lombardy. The Council- General of Milan elected his two uncles, CtIO- VAXNi (1290-1354) and Lrcciiixo (1287-1349), as joint rulers to succeed him ; on the latter, who was able, resolute, and unscrupulous, devolved the government, ilontferrat was added to the do- minions of the Visconti and Pisa became a tributary. Lucchino's tyrannical acts provoked enemies, and he died by poison. From this time Giovanni, who had bejen since 1342 Archbishop, reigned alone. He bought Bologna in 1350; in 1353 accepted the lordship of Genoa, which had been almost crushed by its rival, Venice; and taking up the quarrel of his new subjects, equipped a fleet which, under Paganino Doria, gained a complete victory over the Venetians. He was the generous patron and friend of Petrarch. His three nephews conjointl.v succeeded him, but in 1355 the eldest died by poison, and his domin- ions were shared between the other two. Gale.4.zzo II. (died 1378) and Bernab6 (died 1385). Bologna, which belonged to Bernabfi, fell into the hands of the Pope, wlio excommunicated Bernabo for attem]rting to recover possession of it. Urban V. proclaimed a crusade against Bernabo. which was joined by all the principal Italian princes; and he was ultimately forced to accept a sum of money in place of Bologna. His brother Galeazzo II., who had established his residence at Pavia, was the "Ma-cenas" of his time; he steadily be- friended Petrarch, founded the University of Pavia, and collected a considerable library. On Galeazzo's death (1378) his son. Vxky Galeazzo (c. 1347-1402), succeeded him in Pavia and its dependencies; and by treacherously seiz- ing and im])risoning his uncle. Bernab<") of !Milan, became sole ruler of Lombardy. He had all the great qualities and most of the vices of his race, and openly aspired to the sovereignty of Italy. He con(|uereil I'adua, Verona, and Vi- eenza : extended his dominions to the gates of Florence, which he also attacked; and in 1305 purchased from the Emperor Wenceslas the abso- lute sovereignty of his dominions, with the title of Duke of Milan. He was a great patron of let- ters and science, gathered eminent men of all classes around him. reorganized the University of Piacenza, established a magnificent library, con-