medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Is this definitely a Last Judgement - or is it comparable with (eg) Bernard
of Clairvaux's vision of the BVM expressing her breast milk for him? I
think the idea of 'the virgin who is a nurse' runs through all these
paintings, but the idea of the Virgin at the Last Judgement has other
overtones as well. Specifically, she is coaxing her son to be merciful by
reminding him of her kindness to him - but she is also doing what a
medieval queen/queen mother was expected to do, humbling herself before the
king to plead for mercy for captives. The presence of two virgin martyrs is
an added complication!
Maddy
Dr Madeleine Gray, in the foothills of God's golden county of Gwent
School of Humanities and Science, UWCN Caerleon Campus
PO Box 179, Newport NP18 3YG. Tel: +44 (0)1633.432675
He that is down need fear no fall,
He that is low no pride ....
(John Bunyan)
History at UWCN: http://timezone.newport.ac.uk
Gwent County History Association website:
http://gwent-county-history-association.newport.ac.uk
Cistercian Way: http://cistercian-way.newport.ac.uk
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