Vila Wolf's Dyslexic Folklorist Ranting

The Absolutely Mind-Blowing Painted Interior of Debre Birhan Selassie Church in Ethiopia

Although attributions and the possible dates of these paintings remain shrouded in mystery, the cumulative effect is haunting, ethereal, and otherworldly. Most accounts agree the church here was officially “Built" by Emperor Iyasu the Great in the late 1600s, it was built on the foundations of an even older church.

Although this blog focuses on Medieval European Art History, the interplay and influence between the large contingent of Christian Ethiopians and many European countries is well-documented. The Ethiopian style of icon-painting seen here is very distinct, with the large eyes, serene expressions, and halos of hair typical of religious paintings in the time and place.

Murals on the walls depict the heroism of Saint George, scenes from the Passion, various other figures from the Bible including Satan, and the ceiling of Selassie Church is covered at its apex with dozens of angel heads that gaze down upon all with what appears to be quiet joy and a kind of mischievous curiosity.

[x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

Pretty medieval manuscript of the day is a lovely Parisian book of hours known as the Hours of René d’Anjou. The miniatures depict the adoration of the magi, and St Sylvester; the margin is illustrated with foliage which is carried by angels. Isn’t it beautiful? It dates from the fifteenth century. I think the scribal hand is quite stunning.

Like many high status manuscripts, this book has had an interesting life. It is thought to have been created for a member of the Anjou family around 1410. The British Library catalogue record indicates that it is uncertain who the original owner/patron was. However the arms and motto of René d’Anjou (1409-1480), King of Naples, have been added in several places, indicating that it fell into his hands. Later, it ended up in the hands of George Strangways, Archdeacon of Coventry and chaplain to the King of England. He presented it as a gift to Henry VII (1457-1509). By the mid seventeenth century it was in Krakow in the library of the city’s Jesuit College, presumably having been sold/removed from England following the Reformation. Eventually, after a few more twists and turns, the book was purchased in 1844 by the British Museum for the library (now the British Library)

Image source: British Library MS Egerton 1070. Image declared as public domain on the British Library website.

~

Andrea della Robbia

Annunciation, c. 1490

Niccolò dell’Arca’s group of statues in the S. Maria della Vita of Bologna foreshadow the sculptural realism we see in the High Renaissance. These terracotta figures would have originally been enhanced with polychrome paint which has faded over the centuries. This kind of intense realism may have been inspired in part by the physical reenactments of the Passion performed in churches, a tradition that still lives on in some countries. 

~

Niccolò dell’Arca

Lamentation over the Dead Christ, 1462-3

Pretty medieval manuscript of the day is another from Walters Museum MS 188. Fab, isn’t it? This scene shows St Michael, scales at the ready to weigh souls.

Image source: Walters Museum MS 188.Creative Commons licensed via Flickr.

Pretty medieval manuscript of the day is a return visit from the Missal of Eberhard von Greiffenklau…. surely the best named manuscript ever? This detail shows the depiction of the resurrection. Pretty dramatic isn’t it?

We’ve looked at this book a few times before, but I keep finding myself turning back to it as the illustrations are so fascinating.

Image source: Walters Museum MS 174. Creative Commons licensed via Flickr.

Pretty medieval manuscript of the day is the Tres riches heures of Jean duc du Berry. I realised it had been a little while since I’d looked at that most beautiful manuscript. It shows the Canaanite woman begging Jesus to exorcise her daughter, whom she believes to be possessed by a demon. The image is based on this story from the Gospel of Matthew:

Image source: Tres Riches Heures, f.164r; declared as public domain on Wikimedia Commons because its copyright has expired.