Aureola#Mandorla

Mandorla (Italian for " almond " ) is a technical term from the history of art and refers to a halo or aura around a whole figure. Thus, the mandorla is different about the halo that surrounds only the main. With some exceptions, are reserved Mandorlen Christ and show it in the type of Majestas Domini or as Pantocrator.

Molding

A mandorla is mostly almond shaped, but sometimes - especially in early forms - also assume a circular or elliptical shape. In very rare, also most early cases, the Mandorla is also formed of two overlapping circles (see gallery ). Also, diamond-shaped Mandorlen occur. On icons, especially the modern Greek style from about 1900, complicated Mandorlen are often very prominent.

The frame is often a mandorla color graded or sculptural particularly intricately designed ( diamond bar, rod hole, etc.); he thus recalls the vision of a rainbow in Ezekiel 1:26-28 EU. The interior of most Mandorlen is unformed; sometimes find the Greek letters Α and Ω, rarely also representations of a starry sky or hints of clouds ( see gallery).

The Romanesque Mandorlen are often surrounded by symbols of the four evangelists. In many cases, they are also held by angels or lifted (see gallery ) and then stand in the iconography associated with the ascension of Christ or Mary.

History

Mandorlen occur in the sacred art of Europe since the 5th century AD on. Their heyday they experience in the medieval art ( Illumination, goldsmiths, ivory ), in the apse frescoes or in Portaltympana the Romanesque. In the Gothic and late Gothic art they are only rarely encountered; from a few exceptions (eg, Perugino Assumption images, Raphael's Disputation ) apart waive the artists of the High Renaissance to the representation of Mandorlen or replace them with wreaths rays, cloud shapes etc.. During the late Renaissance and Baroque they disappear completely. Only with the orienting themselves to the art of the Middle Ages Pre-Raphaelites and Nazarenes they appear in the 19th century isolated on again.

Maria in the mandorla

That she was appearing alone in a mandorla, is rather rare (see gallery ); if so, then in most cases the image theme of the Assumption of Mary is addressed. More often they occur (see gallery ) along with her son in the type of the Coronation of the Virgin, or as Sedes sapientiae ( " Seat of Wisdom "). In the late Gothic art, the stand-alone type of aureole Madonna without mandorla, holding up to the baroque period into developed.

Saints in the mandorla

Also important saints of church history are - but only in extremely rare circumstances - surrounded by a mandorla, which is sometimes surrounded by angels or taken and in such cases the Assumption type corresponds (see gallery ).

Emperor Otto III. in a mandorla

Famous and unique book is a painting from the Liuthar Gospels ( 1000 ) with the representation of Emperor Otto III. in a mandorla. Although book and benediction missing and instead the Emperor "only" the orb into the outstretched, holding all-encompassing hands, it's as if here enthroned - and crowned by a heavenly hand - Emperor in a Christ-like manner and can be surrounded by the symbols of the four Evangelists represent. Also, in a presentation in Speyer of Gospels ( 1045 ) extend the heads of Conrad II and his wife Gisela in the mandorla, that is, in the celestial sphere into it (see gallery ).

Such representations from the run-up to the Investiture Controversy can only be understood if one understands the Emperor not only as secular, but also as a spiritual vicar of Christ and of God on earth - a role that was according to medieval understanding solely reserved for the Pope and the Church.

Symbolism

Mandorlen - as halos - interpreted as a visible expression of the light and healing power of divine or quasi- divine figure; they are symbols medieval God and understanding of the world.

Gallery

Majestas Domini from the Hitda Codex, 1000

Carennac, Tympanum, Christ enthroned in a mandorla, 12th century

Saint- Junien, Sarcophagus, Agnus Dei in round mandorla, 12th century

Priory Thuret, Auvergne, Christ in the mandorla, 12th century

Toledo, El Cristo de la Luz ', fresco depicting Christ as Pantokrator 12-13. Century

Andrea Mantegna, Ascension, 1460

Perugino, resurrection and ascension of Christ, circa 1490

Raphael, Disputation del Sacramento, punching the Vatican, 1508-1511

Friedrich Overbeck, The Triumph of Religion in the Arts, Stadel, Frankfurt, 1831-1840

Maria in a formerly borne by angels mandorla 12th century church of Notre -Dame ( Rioux )

Maria in a mandorla, Notre- Dame de l' Assomption in Rieux -Minervois, 12th century

Maria in a mandorla, Como, San Fedele, 12th century

Santa María de Taüll, Mary Sedes sapientiae ( ' Seat of Wisdom '), 12th century

Perugino, Mary with Christ Child and Saints, 1495

Mary surrounded by a halo. Mosaic of Guadalupe ( Mexico)

St. Martin in a mandorla, Gensac la Pallue, 12th century

Konrad II and his wife, Speyer Gospel Book, 1045