medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Salvador,
I don't know about wall paintings, but the Pelican appears among the textiles
preserved from the Lower Saxon convent of Lune (ca. late 15th century). I
believe other convents in the area (Ebstorf, Wienhausen) may also have this
imagery in some of their embroideries. What I am remembering in particular is
a series of hangings for over the benches in the nuns' choir from Lune that
represent the Pelican. I may be able to dig up bibliographic references if
you are interested.
Best,
June Mecham
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>medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
>Dear listmembers,
>
>
>On a subject related to some of my recent postings to this site, I am
>wondering if anyone has knowledge of the appearance of Passion-related
>animals as medieval wall-paintings. I am thinking in particular of obvious
>examples such as the cock and the pelican (an explicitly eucharistic symbol
>of Christ feeding his young with his own blood but also, by extension,
>Passion-related, especially given the fact that the pelican pierces her
>breast and Christ's breast-wound was, of course, the most sought-after and
>efficacious of the Five Wounds) but also of less-obvious but equally
>eligible candidates - the horse and rider (Christ the warrior-knight riding
>into battle on his horse, the cross - discussed in last month's postings),
>the hound (representing Christ the hunter of humanity at the Passion), the
>figure of a man fishing with a harpoon or spear - also eligible as a
>Passion image since Christ is sometimes described as fishing for humanity
>at the Passion, often using a 'net of breast blood'. The stag (particularly
>when under attack) is also of some importance.
>
>I am not so much interested in their individual appearances (although I
>would certainly welcome postings on these) but, more importantly, their
>collective appearance as part of a fairly loose set of images and the
>possible symbolism behind them.
>
>If anyone has any information on their appearance in late medieval Europe I
>would be very grateful for your contribution.
>
>Best wishes,
>
>Salvador Ryan, Department of Modern History, NUI Maynooth, Ireland.
>
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June L. Mecham, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of History (0117)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA 24061
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