A Masterly Hand / Scientia Artis 9

171 Pascale Fraiture 8 170 dendro-groups have a geographic significan ce. 34 U sing square correlation matrices, which represent the rates of the dendrochronological correlations between all the dated ring sequences, three groups have been identified (repre- sented by dark coloured cells) (fig. 8. 13). 35 Th ese groups are formed by ring series which show strong dendro-resemblances. The strong similarities within a group are interpreted as suggesting that the trees used for these sculptures have a similar provenance. It must also be noted that these three groups are not entirely independent from one another as there are also strong correlations between series from different groups, indicating probable geographic links between the groups. The smallest group, top left in the correlation matrix, is composed of four apostles from Neeroeteren and John the Baptist from Siersdorf (which is from the same tree as the Christ the Saviour belonging to the apostles series in Neeroeteren). The largest, bottom right in the matrix, includes seven Ellikom and three Neeroeteren apostles. The third group, seen in the middle, includes a sculpture from the Utrecht Museum Catharijneconvent, two from Siersdorf, one large sculpture from Neeroeteren, the figures of the ­ Virgin from Ellikom and Bocholt which originate from the same tree, and the Maaseik St Anne with the Virgin and Child. The last two groups contain sculptures which differ in st yle. 36 Th is is extremely important since this research confirms the geographic coherence of these sculptures. In other words, dendro­ chronology, rather than dissociating groups of sculptures, tends to bring them even closer. Fig. 8.13 Correlation matrix showing three distinct groups 8.13 Four apostles, Neeroeteren St John the Baptist, Siersdorf Apostle Matthew (?), Utrecht Bishop Saint, Siersdorf St Lucy, Siersdorf St Christopher, Neeroeteren Mary, Ellikom Virgin and Child, Bocholt St Anne, Maaseik Seven apostles, Ellikom Three apostles, Neeroeteren Student’s t 7 6 5 4.50 4 3.75 3.50 3.25 3 2.70 2