The Islamic Rider in the Beatus of Girona
Otto Karl Werckmeister
The image of a rider in Muslim attire spearing serpent marginal miniature the Girona Beatus 975 is relevant to question how recurrent adaptations Islamic motifs Christian art early medieval Spain relate long-term political confrontation Muslims and Christians Iberian peninsula. He appears two pictorial cycles added core Daniel illustrations: set images infancy death Christ series figures monstrous animals derived from iconography royal hunt. In former cycle, he represents Herod persecuting infant Christ; latter, juxtaposed with an illustration sealing elect according Revelations 7:1-3. This scene was evoked as allegory martyrdom lessons chants Visigothic rite on January 8, Feast Holy Innocents. deployment erect confronting without being hurt by his spear Physiologus account steadfast Christian, based Matthew 10:16, exegetical tradition relating this idea martyrdom. Eulogius Córdoba, who promoted ultimate testimony resistance against cultural assimilation Islam, drew 10. Therefore casting Herod, persecutor Christians, projects commemoration Mozarab emigrant monastic community Tábara, where codex produced.
Gesta