In 1331, the Commune of Florence established that the Wool Merchants Guild, in practically total autonomy, would shoulder the burden and the honor of superintending the construction of the new Duomo, just as the Wool Workers Guild had done for the Baptistery since the mid XII century. The “Operai” (Wardens), elected among the Guild members, were to materially see to all of the duties connected with the task. Since its founding, the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore had a growing influence in matters of art connected with its construction, and then with running the new basilica, with important repercussions for the development of art in the city and, often, on the entire peninsula.