The Portraits of the Popes
Herb Mann
Of late years it would appear that the subject of Papal Iconography has been singularly neglected; nor as far we are aware at all exhaustively treated in any monograph. Yet if its claim to importance calls for justification, should suffice quote following passage which J. A. Symonds records impression made upon him by busts Popes (Fig. I) adorn walls Duomo Siena: ‘One most remarkable feature’ he wrote ‘of Siena is a line heads carried round church above lower arches. Larger than life, white solemn faces, they lean each from his separate niche, crowned with triple tiara, and labelled name bore. Their accumulated majesty brings whole past history Church into presence living members. A bishop walking up nave must feel Roman felt among waxen images ancestors renowned council or war. course these portraits imaginary part, but artists have contrived vary their features expression great skill.’
Papers of the British School at Rome|Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)