medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Esteemed list,
I am currently trying to figure out the subject of a small panel of 15th-century stained glass,
which depicts a nimbed bishop in the centre, before a cluster of heads, presumably of naked
individuals, behind him and facing a cluster of demons in front of him. He has his crozier in
the crook of his arm and is making a distinctive gesture, towards the demons, with his gloved
hands. He is laying his right hand onto the wrist of his raised left hand. This gesture
suggests a well-established liturgical practice, but I am at a loss as to what it might be. I
thought at first of exorcism, but the context of the image suggests protection from demons
rather than the exorcising of them. The naked figures behind him, in fact, may be souls, and
if this is the case, the image might have eschatological significance. Can anyone suggest
either: 1) what the bishop's gesture might mean; or 2) what sources I might consult about it.
Many thanks in advance,
Jim Bugslag
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join 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: leave 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/lists/medieval-religion.html
|