medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
[log in to unmask] wrote:
>Would any of you know of studies on the gestures and poses of medieval
prayer? In particular, I am interested in the changes, during the 12th
century, I believe, which resulted in a kneeling pose with hands together, as
is still current.
the implication of your question is that, what, the Orans pose (hands held on
each side and at the level of the head) was used before the 12th c.??
casting around for a memory of a kneeling figure definitely in prayer, i come
up short, before those of the upper windows of Chartres (early 13th c.); but
surely that can't be right.
is there a possibility of the influence of the secular posture of a kneeling
figure with his hands together within the hands of a standing figure --the
taking of an oath of fealty by a vassal before his lord?
though, i can't recall an example of *that* iconography before the 12th c., so
the two innovations --if that's what they were-- seem to have been more or
less contemporary.
Suger's portrait in one of his choir windows depicts him *almost* kneeling,
doesn't it? hands more or less together --but in a gesture of supplication
rather that definite prayer.
perhaps a distinction without a difference, that last.
best from here,
christopher
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