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Defending Christian Art: The Role of Images in 12th Century Latin Christianity

In the 12th century, Latin Christianity experienced a renaissance of image-making, seen as essential for teaching the faith. Gregory the Great's assertion emphasizes the didactic role of images, which serve to educate the illiterate about the divine. This period is marked by diverse artistic expressions in books, ivory, church architecture, and metalwork, reflecting the three theological functions: didactic, affective, and anagogic. The materiality of faith was embodied in Romanesque churches and altar goods, underscoring the sacred in everyday life.

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Defending Christian Art: The Role of Images in 12th Century Latin Christianity

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Images and Their Use

  2. Defences of Christian Art • Common in 12th century Latin Chrisitianity to defend use of images: “It is one thing to worship a picture and another to learn from the story of a picture what is to be worshiped. For what writing conveys to those who can read, a picture shows to the ignorant... and for that very reason a picture is like a lesson for the people.” – from a letter attributed to Gregory the Great

  3. Explosion of Images • 12th – producing images at a new pace, with a newfound vigor • books, ivory, church architecture, glass, metalwork • Diverse uses; diverse understandings • Three functions typically cited by medieval theologians: • Didactic • Affective • Anagogic

  4. Aesthetic, Embodied Spirituality • “High” middle ages – pilgrimage, saints shrines, dramatized liturgy – embodied, material, sensual • 1059 – eucharist controversy • doctrine of transubstantiation • contact with the sacred, in this world • Romanesque churches • Reliquaries, litrugical vessels, vestments, utensils, fans, chalices, patens, candlesticks, ornate altars

  5. Romanesque Maria Laach Abbey, Germany

  6. Crucifixion Imagery Gero Cross, Cologne Cathedral, late 10th c.

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