medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Dear Graham
There are certainly no paintings by Holbein in Oxford, so let's suppose it's Flemish.
As to the number of portraits can I only say that it amounts to the hundreds (before the Reformation) in Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Turning the pages in the reprint of Friedlaenders 'Early Netherlandish Painting' vol.I-XIV, will give you an idea of how frequent they were, in that region alone.
Your description does match quite a lot of paintings (except for the precise date 1529), and it would be nice if you can tell us where to find a reproduction of the portrait at St.John's College?
Another question is: what makes you think that 'late medieval women religious' did look any different from late medieval women in general? Secular women are often provided with much more religious accessories than their professed 'poor' sisters. It is also difficult to distinguish them on basis of the costume alone, since they dressed almost the same way. A matter that was discussed on this list a while ago. Holding a rosary was as compulsory in 1530 as it is to fumble with a handy in 2004.
A third question is what your aganda is by selecting this painting for teaching purpose and not another similar, more well known to the public? I would feel on safer ground knowing the name and position of the sitter with certainty, before I went into elaborate interpretations of her facial expression in front of the students.
Best wishes
Erik
At 0:09 +0200 10/05/04, Graham Jones wrote:
>At St John s we have a portrait bearing the date 1529, attributed in one catalogue to Holbein and said to be of Margaret of Tewkesbury, last but one abbess of Godstow (a house just outside Oxford whose lands came substantially into the hands of the college). Another interpretation is that the painting is Flemish.
>It strikes me that this image would be useful in teaching. The face is powerfully expressive, and the costume and accessories are full of interest, too including a rosary and a belt with the repreated inscription Iesus Maria . However, I m entirely ignorant as to the numbers of surviving portraits of late medieval women religious. Can any of you put me wise? Citations of similar portraits (in whatever medium) would be much appreciated, particularly if the images are easily accessible in published or electronic sources.
_____________________________________________________________________
Mag.art. Erik Drigsdahl CHD Center for Haandskriftstudier i Danmark
Kapelvej 25B 3.tv Phone: +45 +35 37 20 47
DK-2200 Copenhagen N Email: <[log in to unmask]>
DENMARK http://www.chd.dk
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