File:The history of Our Lord as exemplified in works of art - with that of His types; St. John the Baptist; and other persons of the Old and New Testament (1872) (14766879874).jpg

Identifier: historyofourlord02jame (find matches)
Title: The history of Our Lord as exemplified in works of art : with that of His types ; St. John the Baptist ; and other persons of the Old and New Testament
Year: 1872 (1870s)
Authors: Jameson, Mrs. (Anna), 1794-1860 Eastlake, Elizabeth, 1809-1893
Subjects: Jesus Christ Christian art and symbolism
Publisher: London : Longmans, Green, and Co.
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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d to the side only, and more properly performed, in asymbolical sense, by the female figure impersonating the Church.Duccio is free from this rather unattractive conceit; his angels,all grouped in a graceful semicircular wreath above the Cross, areunrivalled in the beauty of pathos and propriety. These have ahigher purpose here also than the mere fluttering impotence of 174 HISTORY OF OUR LORD. despair. True to their character -as divine messengers, they arehastening on each side, in heavenly dismay, to bear the unspeak-able tidings aloft, while one yet lingers a moment to kiss the deadhand. We give a woodcut (No. 191). Duccio, too, has evidentlyfelt the absurdity of the conventional terminations, and though notventuring to give the feet, has yet so disposed the drapery as tohide the absence of them. It is not often that we see the angels occupied (except whencatching the blood) with the figure of our Lord. DAgincourt (pi.ci.) gives an example from the Chapel of S. Silvestro, near the
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191 Angels round Cross. (Duccio. Siena.) Church of the Quattro Incoronati at Rome, where an angel istaking off the crown of thorns and putting on a real crown. Wegive the illustration (No. 192). This is an early fresco, date 1248.(As regards the crowned figures of the crucified Saviour, see chapter< Crucifix). A striking and characteristic purpose to which the attendance ofangels is applied is seen in those early and full Crucifixions whichinclude the two thieves. Here both angelic and demoniac ministryis introduced—angels to receive the soul of the good thief, anddemons waiting for that of the impenitent malefactor. This was anatural idea at a period when no death-bed was represented without THE CRUCIFIXION WITH ANGELS. 175

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