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Sunday, December 18, 2011

O Wisdom, O Holy Word of God!


Christ Pantocrator
Byzantine, 1145-1160
Cefalu, Cathedral
In the week before Christmas, the Liturgy of the Hours (the official daily prayer of the Church) includes a series of special antiphons preceeding the recitation of the Magnificat (Luke 1: 46-55), collectively called the O Antiphons.  In the English-speaking world we are most familiar with them as they are paraphrased in the well-known Advent hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". 

The antiphon for December 17th is "O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation."

The image which this antiphon brings to mind is the image of Christ Pantocrator.  This is an image most common in the Byzantine tradition, although it is known in the West, especially in the great medieval cathedrals of Sicily.  Traditionally, Christ is shown in this image as the Divine Lawgiver and Ruler, one hand raised in blessing, the other holding a book, whether open or shut.  The book alludes to the Word of God, which He Is.

The image developed first in the late Roman Empire as it became a Christian empire.  Initially its appearance is tied to projects undertaken for the Imperial family itself.

Christ in Majesty
Roman, c. 350
Rome, Church of Santa Costanza
Santa Costanza was built as a tomb for the Constantina, daughter of Constantine, the Emperor who recognized Christianity as a valid religion and then embraced it himself, making it not just a recognized religion, but the religion of the empire.

Christ in Majesty
Roman, c. 400
Rome, Church of Santa Pudenziana

Christ in Majesty
Byzantine, c. 526-547
Ravenna, Church of San Vitale

In the south of Europe (Greece, Italy and Sicily) this Imperial-based figure developed into the image of the Christ Pantocrater.  

In northern Europe it took a slightly less dramatic turn and developed into the Christ in Majesty figure which remained popular for many centuries.  It saw its first development in manuscript painting (illumination) under the Carolingian and Ottonian Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, from the eighth century.

Christ in Majesty
From the Codex Aureus of Lorsch
German, c. 778-830
Vatican City, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana
MS   , fol. 72v

Christ in Majesty
From the Fulda Sacramentary
French (Corvey), c. 960-1000
Munich, Bayerisches Staatsbibliothek
MS Clm 10077, fol. 11v

Christ in Majesty
From a Gospel Lectionary
German (Possibly Echternach), c. 1000-1033
Munich, Bayerische Staats
MS Clm 11327, fol. 2


Christ in Majesty
From a Gospel Book
German (Ottobeuren), c. 1165
Munich, Bayerisches Staatsbibliothek
MS Clm 21255, fol.  20v

Christ in Majesty
From the Melk Missal
Austrian (Melk or Seitenstetten), Late 12th-Early 13th Century
Baltimore, Walters Art Museum
MS  W.33, fol.  1v

Later, it received broader development in the developing nation states of the later Middle Ages.

Christ in Majesty
Enameled Book Cover
French (Limoges), Early 13th Century
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Christ in Majesty
From the Psalter of St. Louis and Blanche of Castille
French c. 1225
Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France
MS Arsenal 1186, fol.28





Christ in Majesty
From the Livre d’images de Madame Marie
Flemish (Hainaut), c. 1275-1300
Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France
MS Nouvelle acquisition francaise 16251, fol. 51v


The Rohan Master, Christ in Majesty
From the Hours of Rene of Anjou
French (Paris), c. 1435-1436
Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France
MS Lat 1156 A, fol. 97



Hans Memling, Christ Surrounded by Angels
Center of a Triptych
Flemish, 1480s
Antwerp, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten


© M. Duffy, 2011 with additional material 2020


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