Classical Protagonists – Medieval Postures
Anna Boreczky
The primary aim of my paper is to reveal the possible role illustrations in (re)interpretation a text as seen example an Ottonian image cycle illustrating Late Antique adventure story. work question so-called Apollonius pictus (Budapest, National Széchényi Library, Cod. Lat. 4), manuscript fragment consisting three and half large parchment leaves that contain oldest known illustration History Apollonius, king Tyre ( Historia Apollonii Regis Tyri ). images (thirty-eight red line drawings) focus on protagonists; with exception some ships, few buildings curtains, there almost nothing alludes mise-en-scène . In spite their relative simplicity, effectively articulate meaning story by means protagonists’ body language. Through study postures gestures relation context other early medieval visual narratives, I arrive at conclusion offer alternative reading This gives leading one female protagonists, Tarsia, emphasizes special personality traits life events make her similar saints. Analyzing communicative function illustrations, shed light reception use classical narrative traditions from specific perspective.
Acta Historiae Artium|Repository of the Academy's Library (Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences)