 |
|
Created: Augsburg around 1760 Material, technology: paper, etching tinted with watercolour, in period wooden frame Size: 98 x 50 cm Description: In the lower, smaller section of the engraving a Latin verse tells the events of the 24 hours of the Passion; it draws on Jacobus Tyrinus’ chronicle and Sebastianus Barradius’ work on the parables in the Gospel. The large dial-plate predominating the sheet is divided by three bands with numerals. In the outer bands between the Roman symbols of the Biblical times: prima, tertia, sexta, nona Latin and German inscriptions give information. The miniatures are the daytime events of the Passion comprised to fit the given time of day. The middle band narrates the twelve night scenes of the Passion ending with the evening of Good Thursday. The Arabic numerals in the third band also refer to the episodes marked according to the Roman clock. The innermost circle shows an allegory of expiation: the globe is surrounded by the figures of Adam and Eve interlaced by the serpent, with the Creator above them holding a pair of scales in his right. In one scale is the fruit of the forbidden tree, in the other the Savour is placing the cup of his blood flowing from his heart. In late medieval hymn writing the hora songs adjusting the temporally corresponding events of the Passion to the seven canonic hours of the Office became widespread. |  |
Please send comments and suggestions to the webmaster.
