medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
----- Original Message -----
From: "Colmán O' Clabaigh" <[log in to unmask]>
A friend of mine, an art historian/conservator, is working on an article on
the iconography of medieval Irish wall paintings. She asked my advice on why
St John, the beloved disciple, is conventionally depicted as a youth in
medieval art.
"The legends that contributed most to medieval iconography are mainly
derived from the apocryphal Acts of John. These Acts are also the source of
the notion that John became a disciple as a very young man.
Iconographically, the young, beardless type is early (as in a 4th century
sarcophagus from Rome), and this type came to be preferred (though not
exclusively) in the medieval West. In the Byzantine world the evangelist is
portrayed as old, with long, white beard and hair, usually carrying his
Gospel. His symbol as an evangelist is an eagle. On account of the inspired
visions of the book of Revelation the Byzantine churches entitled him "the
Theologian"; and the title appears in Byzantine manuscripts of Revelation
but not in manuscripts of the Gospel." ~ Henry Chadwick (quoted in
Encyclopaedia Britannica)
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
|