Some examples:
In panel 2f of the main lights of the Great East Window, 1405-8, at York
Minster, green and pink devils can be seen pushing a naked figure into an
upside-down ruby monstrous Hell-mouth which bears a close resemblance to a
similar head of Satan, the right-way up, chained in the Bottomless Pit in
panel 3j. For illustrations see Thomas French, 1995, "York Minster: the
Great East Window" Oxford & New York 0 19 726136 1
In the bottom right-hand corner panel of the west window c. 1500-1515 at St
Mary's Parish Church, Fairford,
Gloucestershire a ruby devil sucks damned souls into its maw with each fiery
breath. As the window is currently under restoration the panel is best seen
on the CD-ROM which accompanies Brown & Macdonald, 1997, "The Medieval
Stained Glass of Fairford Parish Church" Stroud 0 7509 1523 4
In Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights (Madrid, Prado) triptych c. 1503-4
right-hand panel (the
musical hell) a human figure with a Nightmare's head sitting over an open
cesspit stuffs a naked body into its maw and defecates figures who drop into
the pit. For a good detailed reproduction see Mia Cinotti, 1969, "The
Complete Paintings of Bosch" London, Weidenfeld & Nicolson
John Hall
> I am interested in finding as many examples of the medieval
> hell mouth as I can. It is a part of depictions of the last judgement,
where
> sinners a being thrown and stuffed into the gaping maw of a terrifying
beast,
> who represents the entrance to hell. The only architectural example I
know is
> found on the west facade of Bourges cathedral. The only graphic
> representation I know is the colored drawing of the Valenciennes Passion
Play
> of 1547, which, though very late, corresponds in details to descriptions I
> have from Italy a century earlier.
>
> Can anyone tell me where to find others? Thank you.
>
> C. Thomas Ault
> Theatre Department
> Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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