<i>Speculum</i>
Herbert L. Kessler
References to mirrors were frequent in medieval texts both theological and literary, their meanings have been abundantly studied, especially recently. Medieval writers primarily inspired by St. Paul's famous metaphor his First Letter the Corinthians 13.12–13: “Now we see only puzzling reflections a mirror, but then shall face face. My knowledge now is partial; it will be whole, like God's of me. In word, there are three things that last forever: faith, hope, love; greatest them all love.” Mirrors also likened art many texts; so they functioned mightily investigations visuality. To cite just one text among many, on Mallorca 1276, Inghetto Contardo defended pictures against Jew's alleged attack asserting “the holy mother Church sets images out as kind seeing with corporal eyes mind.” The claim here was physical images, made possible Christ's incarnation, available (defective) human senses could formed into complete picture when assimilated memory true nature. Hildegard Bingen had already summed up idea succinctly: “That [faith] Adam he saw bodily invisible light God … after disobedience, neither nor any other man this vision; for reason, faithful can gaze at interior vision soul, mirror trust able saved him who do things.” assimilating ancient trope new theories being promulgated time Roger Bacon, Robert Grosseteste, Witelo such popular works Peter Limoges's Tractatus moralis de oculo, preacher's manual composed exactly debate very widely circulated afterward. these, site literally namely, “crystalline humor” where light, located anterior part brain, unified rays from double vision.
Speculum