medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Dear all, this is to muster help to unpuzzle frescoes inside the church in Koelzow in the North-East of Germany, the part of Germany that has been the latest to be christianized in the course of the Northern Crusades. The frescoes are dated 1205 to 1210, about the time the church has been built by settlers (supposedly from Guestphalia or other "Western" territories). The frescoes have been "dormant" for several centuries and were "rediscovered" as late as 1983. The explanations given by the locals are all far from the point, if I am not wholly mistaken. I guess the frescoes are part of an iconographic "programme" shared by many other churches of that age - especially in the North of Europe - more or less late romanesque. Since most interested parties lack a wider horizon - literally limited by the steeple one has in sight - the comparison with other frescoes and sculptures has been missed. I have corresponded with several art historians, but they have declared in unison that the scientific tackling of the medieval frescoes inside churches in Mecklenburg and Western Pomerania is a cause worthwhile but also one that has not been undertaken yet. I would love to be a part of this. I have found the [log in to unmask] after discovering the work of James Mills via http://ica.princeton.edu/mills/. Denmark and North-Eastern Germany are tied closely in the days of christianization. Does somebody keep up the work of James Mills? Can anyone recommend other sources of information?
The frescoes in question can be seen here:
http://www.kirche-koelzow.com/030dbe98570eacf05/02ea199b901014510/index.html
I presume an antagonistic iconographic scheme, for example mermaid and harpy (evils with a female connotation) contrasting the lily / Virgin Mary.
The frescoes could be pointed at as follows:
A. Group of three figures holding hands, centre-figure crowned woman (Virgin Mary???)
B. Belted man with trumpet (?) / club (?) / cornucopia (? most probably not) (Judgement day???)
C. Harpy (?) and Mermaid / Fish Wife
D. Lily / Iris
E. Griffin (wingless) confronting Lion
Any hint or help welcome! Regards Frank
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