DOI Kapitel:
Plate 1-XCIII
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62036#0329
157
PLATE LXXVIII.
THE EVIL SPIRIT.
Fig. 1. Another class of subjects in which the Evil Spirit appears in a bodily shape, is in
representations of those possessed with Devils, which occur frequently in all the
illuminated Gospels of the Middle Ages; the manner in which they are spoken of,
as beings separate from the persons possessed by them, and are commanded by Christ
to “ come out ” of them, may have given rise to their being represented in this
material form. They usually appear as small bodies, sometimes winged, and of a black
or red colour, either issuing from the mouths of the possessed persons, or seated upon
them ; in this instance, the Spirit, who appears to be holding his victim in his power,
is of a larger form than usual. From a MS. Bible, of the 13th century (Bodleian).
2. This is a more uncommon example, from the same MS. ; it represents her out of whom
Christ cast seven Devils, which are all of similar appearance.
3. Here the two possessed by Evil Spirits are kneeling before Christ, who holds the
Book of Life in His hand. From a book of the Gospels, illuminated with beautifully
fine and minute miniatures, a French work of the 14th century (Brit. Mus.).
4. This subject is from the life of St. Martin, who cast out the Evil Spirit from a servant;
in this instance it is winged, and of a red colour, and is represented proceeding from
the mouth of the possessed person. From a painted window in the Cathedral of
Tours; 13th century. (14.)
5. A different form is given to the Evil Spirits in this illustration of a verse in St. Mark’s
Gospel; “ And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried,
saying, Thou art the Son of God.” Two of these have the usual demon form, but
the other has the shape of a lizard; their attitudes show that they are doing homage
to Him who had authority over them. From the same MS. as fig. 3.
6. In this human form the Evil Spirit has an entirely different meaning, and besides its
more general significance of Sin being conquered and cast down, it has an especial
reference to Paganism, or Heresy. Here the figure is of a black colour, and is
trodden under foot by St. Peter, who holds the keys, as well as a Church, and a
book. The subject is a wooden figure, painted in colours, that stands at the corner
of a street in Exeter, and is commonly known as “Father Peter.” The date of this
curious relic of past times I could not ascertain; it is, probably, generally understood
to represent St. Peter’s triumph over the Heathen, rather than the more abstract
idea of the destruction of Heresy.
7. During the early ages of Christianity, and by the writers of those days, Idols were
considered to be the images and habitations of Demons, and it was even doubted
whether Statues were fitting ornaments of cities, from this same idea; for whether
it was the representation of a- divinity or not, they were believed to be the abodes
PLATE LXXVIII.
THE EVIL SPIRIT.
Fig. 1. Another class of subjects in which the Evil Spirit appears in a bodily shape, is in
representations of those possessed with Devils, which occur frequently in all the
illuminated Gospels of the Middle Ages; the manner in which they are spoken of,
as beings separate from the persons possessed by them, and are commanded by Christ
to “ come out ” of them, may have given rise to their being represented in this
material form. They usually appear as small bodies, sometimes winged, and of a black
or red colour, either issuing from the mouths of the possessed persons, or seated upon
them ; in this instance, the Spirit, who appears to be holding his victim in his power,
is of a larger form than usual. From a MS. Bible, of the 13th century (Bodleian).
2. This is a more uncommon example, from the same MS. ; it represents her out of whom
Christ cast seven Devils, which are all of similar appearance.
3. Here the two possessed by Evil Spirits are kneeling before Christ, who holds the
Book of Life in His hand. From a book of the Gospels, illuminated with beautifully
fine and minute miniatures, a French work of the 14th century (Brit. Mus.).
4. This subject is from the life of St. Martin, who cast out the Evil Spirit from a servant;
in this instance it is winged, and of a red colour, and is represented proceeding from
the mouth of the possessed person. From a painted window in the Cathedral of
Tours; 13th century. (14.)
5. A different form is given to the Evil Spirits in this illustration of a verse in St. Mark’s
Gospel; “ And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried,
saying, Thou art the Son of God.” Two of these have the usual demon form, but
the other has the shape of a lizard; their attitudes show that they are doing homage
to Him who had authority over them. From the same MS. as fig. 3.
6. In this human form the Evil Spirit has an entirely different meaning, and besides its
more general significance of Sin being conquered and cast down, it has an especial
reference to Paganism, or Heresy. Here the figure is of a black colour, and is
trodden under foot by St. Peter, who holds the keys, as well as a Church, and a
book. The subject is a wooden figure, painted in colours, that stands at the corner
of a street in Exeter, and is commonly known as “Father Peter.” The date of this
curious relic of past times I could not ascertain; it is, probably, generally understood
to represent St. Peter’s triumph over the Heathen, rather than the more abstract
idea of the destruction of Heresy.
7. During the early ages of Christianity, and by the writers of those days, Idols were
considered to be the images and habitations of Demons, and it was even doubted
whether Statues were fitting ornaments of cities, from this same idea; for whether
it was the representation of a- divinity or not, they were believed to be the abodes