medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
That's an interesting idea, John and Stephen. The figure could indeed
have a Jew's hat. None of the prophets in this building, however, wear
them-- I looked again at my high-resolution versions to be sure. Neither
do Jews in the narrative scenes, or other damned figures in Hell,
including the two on the other side that John signals. Also this odd
figure is the only one shown as a disembodied head and hand, as in the
Last Judgment at Torcello (see e.g.
http://iamyouasheisme.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/lastjudgmenttorcellotweedeplaatjedetailboven.jpeg
with terrible color)-- the head on the other side (back at Florence)
under the legs of a brown demon is still attached to shoulders, though
the rest of the body is behind flames.
On the other hand, the denial of hearing, sight, and speech would be
conceptually nice, and I certainly haven't come up with anything more
plausible!
On 1/12/2014 7:19 PM, John Dillon wrote:
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> The mystery figure<http://www.kornbluthphoto.com/images/FlorenceBaptMosaics_13-1.jpg> could be wearing a Jew's hat (Stephen Morris' comment about OT prophets points to this as well, as these figures are commonly shown wearing a Jew's hat -- and not only in Byzantine art). Which could be why she's set apart a bit from the other damned. Her gesture (denial of speech) complements those of two of the damned arising from their graves on the opposite side of the composition<http://www.kornbluthphoto.com/images/FlorenceBaptMosaics_17-1.jpg>, shown denying hearing and denying sight. I rather suspect that the three jointly indicate the utter awfulness of the torments of the damned.
>
>
> Best,
> John Dillon
>
> On 01/12/14, Genevra Kornbluth wrote:
>> Thanks, Paul and George!
>> That triangle (along with the presentation as just a head and hand) is the reason why I thought the figure might be a personification. It reminds me of headgear I have seen on personifications elsewhere (though none in my archive), or the central feature on the crown of a Tyche. But the identification is quite tentative-- suggestions are very welcome!
>> Incidentally, I am not at all sure that my simultaneous posting of the original message to Mediev-L has gone through. Have any of you on both lists received it from them?
>> Genevra
>>
>> On 1/12/2014 8:03 AM, Paul Chandler wrote:
>>> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture They are indeed wonderful photographs, Genevra. Many thanks again. -- Paul
>>>
>>>
>>> On 12 January 2014 20:29, George FERZOCO<[log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask])" target="1">[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> As usual, these photographs are outstanding, Genevra; thank you so much for sharing them with medieval-religion.
>>>>
>>>> I wonder what the triangle on the head of “lamenting personification” is meant to be? http://www.kornbluthphoto.com/images/FlorenceBaptMosaics_13-1.jpg
>>>>
>>>>
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: subscribe 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: unsubscribe 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/medieval-religion
|