Preparing for Good Friday, I've been returning to earlier reflections on the harrowing of hell, this time illustrated in my mind by two frescoes from among many highlights in our trip to Florence at the New Year. Both clearly relate to the Orthodox icon of the Resurrection - the (about to be) risen Lord stands on the broken down doors of hell. Both are clearly western art - the (about to be) risen Lord carries the banner which identifies him as such in most mediaeval representations. Both clearly relate to each other - it is hard to think the first (Andrea Bonaiuto, c 1367, Santa Maria Novella) is not the model for the second albeit a mirror image (Fra Angelico, c 1440, San Marco) with the cave and with muli-coloured devils crushed beneath the door and cowering at the back.
1 comment:
Very interesting homily this morning about "Spy Wednesday" and the role of Judas in fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus' death and resurrection. Using the black halo as a visual aid....
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