Maiestas Domini: Une image de l'Eglise en Occident Ve-IXe siècle (review)
Lawrence Nees
Maiestas Domini: Une image de l'Eglise en Occident Ve-IXe siecle. By AnneOrange Poilpre. (Paris: Les Editions du Cerf. 2005. Pp. 300.635.00 paperback.) The author revisits an iconographice theme,Maiestas Domini, that has been comprehensively treated before, notably in Frederik Van der Meer's monograph of 1938. In modern art-historical jargon the term is applied most particularly to images surround enthroned figure Christ with beastsymbols four evangelists, and it often extended that, drawing on Apocalypse, represent a lamb instead anthropomorphic Christ. Here author's focus primarily early Italian images, monumental mosaics, also some small-scale works metal or ivory, Carolingian manuscript illustrations. Domini elastic difficult define, aware Latinate pseudo-medievalism when used iconographie sense, applying important textual constructs seldom if ever so designated medieval sources. author, strongly influenced by many studies Yves Christe, presents ecclesiological rather than theophanic (Van emphasis) parousiac interpretation imagery. view, earliest examples her themes, mosaics Rome, are statements about nature power institutional church. Later related ecclesiastical reform, sometimes not very persuasively. For example, argues unusual Gundohinus Gospels (from Francia, after 754) should be Boniface's reform mission east Rhine, although no evidence presented connecting Boniface area, despite image's close association rare text facing page as she states, supports dogmatic interpretation. An discussion Godescalc Evangelistary makes interesting reading, but its premise notion five displayed separate pages book, they can never seen together, nonetheless interpreted within category image, all nearly other which visible ensemble. One would wish for presentation premises more open alternative interpretations. Too such conclusions seem arbitrary, thus unpersuasive. …
Catholic Historical Review