Spiritual Seeing: Picturing God's Invisibility in Medieval Art (review)
Yvonne zu Dohna
Reviewed by: Spiritual Seeing: Picturing God’s Invisibility in Medieval Art Yvonne Dohna Art. By Herbert L. Kessler. (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. 2000. Pp. xv, 265.) This fascinating book is largely composed eight essays which the author general discusses possibility picturing divinity during Middle Ages and continuity Jewish thought Christian theology. The first chapter reviews arguments concerning permissibility images God, [End Page 133] concludes with positive assessment relations between art doctrine. basic problem, as Kessler sees it, whether by what artistic means divine grace truth revealed Christ's Incarnation can berepresented art. chapters are delicately interwoven, abundant visual literary documentation allows reader to follow step ever more conscious self-identification on images. In opening Professor proves that new language signified not only invention an iconography based archetypal models, but also redemption incapacity Jews view God. enemies iconoclasm refuted subtle objections images, understood undermining reality Incarnation. On other hand they interpreted refuting law, literalism. line argument continued third chapter. According Cyril Alexandria John Chrysostom Old Testament draft lays out fundamental sacred ideas, while communion Christ provides precise perfect painting. New Testament, words, completes original sketch. deftly plays one against illustrate increasing rigor employed apologists development image theory, were convinced positively surpass negatively demonstrate ignorance blindness. Even techniques representation eventually transformed theological considerations. Theodore Studios compares creative process itself. He notes icon Holy Face Edessa was achieved copying imprinting face a cloth. Nicephoros task external characteristics Saviour, essential aspects his now visualize invisible materialize immaterial. intellectually iconoclastic proscription pictures; justified use color elevated spiritual plane. argumentation iconodules proceeded further manifested theologically works well statements so-called Eighth Council: Whoever does venerate depicted will be able recognize him at Second Coming. veneration becomes demanding same time denies any capability cognition. acquired importance religious practice, for resolve tension human materiality provide different approaches hidden truth. spite all objections, triumph 843 could prevented. illustrates again tissue fine expression pressed proceed ahead. His analyses single clarify alterations exemplary manner. 134] Carolingian resumed debate about words earlier it made clear interpretations relation two had variously constituted bases theories. distinctions culminated hypothesis pictures represented their interpretation transformation. Images several levels intention. final shows how freedom biblical interpretation. Abbot Suger's project St. Denis concretized discussions twelfth century attributed fresh theory...
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