Dear Jim,
Many thanks for your very useful reply and for the references, as
well. You confirmed a number of my suspicions, which, I should say,
have arisen recently from trying to come to terms with the way Gothic
portal sculpture is commonly interpreted. It strikes me that if one
decides that the "theme" of a programme of portal sculpture (if there
actually was such a thing) is the Church Triumphant, then it is
undoubtedly almost certain that enough combing of exegetical
literature will turn up suitable interpretations of all the imagery
included in the ensemble. Recently, one art historian suggested
that, in the very perplexing Job portal on the north transept of
Chartres Cathedral, all of the male Old Testament figures were types
of Christ, while all of the female Old Testament figures were types
of Ecclesia. It is just this sort of practice that led to my
query. Although I have no clear idea how, in fact, one should
proceed in the interpretation of all this imagery, art historians
have for the most part been guilty of just such "linear" use of
exegesis as you warn about. I continue to ponder the method
appropriate for such investigations, but your ideas have convinced me
that I'm beginning down the right path, and I shall certainly look up
the further bibliography you so kindly provided. Thanks, once again.
Cheers,
Jim Bugslag
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|