medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
In the Orthodox icon tradition (from which Giotto descends) Joseph is
sitting off to one side [baby in manger or being bathed, Mary on pallet,
angels singing, shepherds, etc.] talking to a shepherd covered in a
sheepskin. Early on this shepherd was shown with horns [the icon
tradition lost this detail], & the explanation was that the devil came
to Joseph & said, "You don't really believe this virgin-birth thing, do
you?" I have been looking for the origins of this image.
DW
Brian Moloney wrote:
>
>See too Sacchetti, Il Trecentonovelle, LXXV [5], a joke attributed to Giotto:
>Tell me Giotto, why is Joseph always depicted as melancholy?
>And Giotto replied:
>Isn't he right to be, seeing his wife pregnant and he doesn't know by whom?
>
>Best wishes,
>Brian
>
>
>
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