Reading the secret code of medieval images - the iconography of the apostles

[@lindalea333]

Thank you, for providing this channel. I found it by accident and did not realize until my third video how curious and interested I am on the topics you have provided. The depth of information on history and symbols is quite fascinating-thank you again.

[@allanbarton]

I am glad to have hooked you.

[@galleryguide9913]

One key reference which may be very helpful for understanding the Western artistic tradition is that great Medieval source 'The Golden Legend' by Jacobus de Voragine. It's a resource that will serve life long since the attributes associated with various saints and martyrs as well as biographies are featured according to the liturgical calendar.

[@allanbarton]

Yes indeed, absolutely invaluable Gallery Guide, as mentioned in the video! Here's an article about the Caxton/Wynkyn de Worde printing of the 'Legenda Aurea' that people might find useful. medievalart.co.uk/2021/05/11/a-fifteenth-century-bestseller/ Also Voragine's importance is discussed in my video 'Organising Angels', which you might enjoy if you haven't watched it yet, it is through Voragine that the ideas of Pseudo-Dionysius are transmitted. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGm9k36Lmq2jkMk

[@nickimontie]

Fascinating and enlightening! Thank you!

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@nancyhope2205]

I am just loving your videos. So glad to have found you. Thank you very much indeed.

[@allanbarton]

Thank you Nancy, I am really pleased you are enjoying them.

[@jsmcguireIII]

Would love it if you looked FAR to the west and took a dive into the iconography of the Mexican Cruz de Animas. These are amazing, small and crude home shrines done mostly in the early 19th century with painting and carving often depicting the Arma Christi and the sun and eclipse at crucifixion, etc. I find their crudeness evocative of some of the medieval examples you share and discuss. I really enjoy your channel Dr. Barton, and subscribed.

[@martinwarner1178]

Something about your ways of presenting this stuff, so convinces me, like no other. Thank you. Peace be unto you.

[@meganefields]

Thank you for the explanation on how to identify the apostles. Fascinating

[@stepps511]

These attributes are not foreign to me, tho' it's been years since I've thought of them Your telling about them is wonderfully illustrative and so much appreciated - even those asides! Thank you, thank you, and God bless you!

[@allanbarton]

That is so kind of you to say so - I am glad you enjoyed the video and thanks to for subscription. God bless you.

[@dianespears6057]

Thank you. This was very helpful and interesting. You are a very good teacher.

[@katescrimgeour3884]

I have recently found your channel - got a subscription to your magazine for my birthday and am currently binge watching all of your videos. On my way now to check out your course of medieval stained class and Christian iconography. Love your work.

[@allanbarton]

Thanks very much, that’s great to hear! Hope you enjoy my course and the magazine 😊.

[@TerryC69]

Hi Allan! Another worthwhile presentation. Many thanks!

[@allanbarton]

Thanks Terry.

[@crabtonia]

Beautifully put together...as always...thank you...dgp/uk

[@stevedunn3113]

Brilliant, Allan, and I was going suggest stained glass as a future topic and you beat me to it! Keep going, these are such helpful short guides.

[@allanbarton]

Thanks Steve - lots more to come, I have an ever-growing list of videos in the pipeline.

[@Xanaseb]

Looking forward to the stained glass course myself

[@rhiannonpoole6019]

Thank you for this fascinating insight. Those windows at Fairford (?) look wonderful, I had never come across the notion of the prophets as types of the apostles. How brilliant that these early depictions have survived not only iconoclasts but well-meaning modernisers.

[@allanbarton]

It is a wonderful survival. I suppose that England's material heritage is so prolific, some of it was bound to escape unwanted attention!

[@karenashworth5743]

I have now watched many of your videos and find them fascinating. Thank you for your work . Please do more !

[@mbvoelker8448]

As an evangelical protestant of the sort with the church in a strip mall and electric guitars in the worship band, this topic is almost entirely foreign to me -- barring a 2-credit-hour course on medieval culture back in college in 1985. It's interesting how an entire story and set of principles would be called up by a readily identifiable image.

[@michaelhealy1590]

Thank you Allan for another inspiring episode. It is a shame that the 'other' Disciples, the WOMEN, were never included as Apostles. Mary, the Mother of Christ, Mary of Cleopas, and Mary of Magdela, were all at the Crucifixion and experienced Pentecost, but due to the time they were sadly excluded. Present at pentecost, they also received the Holy Spirit. Incidentally, Mary of Cleopas was the Sister in Law of Mary, since it is the belief that Cleopas was the brother of Saint Joseph. The irony of the Gospel of Emmaus is that Cleopas and his son were the travellers and they didn't even recognize Jesus, except in the Breaking of the Bread. Totally enjoy your 'seminars' and as soon as I get time will subscribe to your lesson plans. Mike

[@myvintagelifestyle]

Fascinating!

[@peterkrauss6962]

Super interesting. Why did some art survive the reformation and some did not. Would appreciate your take.

[@ButterBobBriggs]

I love typology and had never heard of this correspondence between the Apostles/Prophets and the Creed/OT verses. It's so sad that the modern church has swept away most of these beautiful symbolic and typological understandings that were once universally known to all Christians both East and West.

[@allanbarton]

It is a great shame that the richness of the symbolic tradition has been jettisoned, but I suppose that makes it much more special when you rediscover it.

[@galleryguide9913]

If you look at the illuminated calendar pages from the Belleville breviary or the Grandes Heures of Jean, Duc de Berri, there are figures of the prophets with a scroll and a particular prophecy pulling a stone from a collapsing structure representing the old law and the corresponding figure of an apostle with a clause from the Creed. Well into the 17th there were artists who painted sets of panels of prophets and apostles with cartouches with the corresponding texts. Often in museums have individual panels separated from the set with puzzling Latin inscriptions to those who don't know the tradition.

[@9er..]

Where can we find those classes now Dr. B?

[@cook13doodle16]

New here..intriguing!!!

[@carrie4696]

Did I miss you saying where this screen is located Allen? I keep hearing Beeston..I’m guessing not the Beeston near Leeds? That photograph (and tale) of Mr Jowett is…extraordinary 😅

[@carrie4696]

Oh I’m just dense…Beeston Regis. I’ve never heard of it but sounds worth a drive. Thanks for making this work visible to people like me who are areligious but find the art thrilling nonetheless. I’d never have heard of any of these special places otherwise.

[@allanbarton]

Norfolk is well worth a visit, the churches are full of such treasures. I should do a video showcasing some more of these wonderful panel paintings.

[@monicacall7532]

So the iconoclasts didn’t destroy all of the church art? Was it a case of the further away from London the church was the safer from destruction, or was it dependent on who the priest/vicar or the congregation was on the continuum of high church on one end and low church on the other that decided which churches would retain their original art and other religious decor?

[@avsbq]

Variety of reasons why iconoclasts didn't destroy all iconography in England... Some may have been more sympathetic, simply tolerating their removal from public sight and taken in by Catholics in secrecy... Some were simply painted over, and the elements or discovery would reveal what lay behind.. Some icons or statues were in incredibly hard to reach spots... church ceilings... But anything encrusted with g jewels or lined with Gold wouldn't have the same chances

[@mrbojangles8133]

St James being the patron Saint of Spain as we know