Bes it is in a medieval psalter. Pictorial sources for the representation of the tempter in the illumination of the Winchester Psalter (Cotton Ms Nero C. IV, f.18r) Cover Image

Bész egy középkori zsoltároskönyvben. Képi források a kísértő ábrázolásához a Winchester Psalter illuminációjában (Cotton Ms Nero C. IV, f.18r)
Bes it is in a medieval psalter. Pictorial sources for the representation of the tempter in the illumination of the Winchester Psalter (Cotton Ms Nero C. IV, f.18r)

Author(s): Adrienn Orosz
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion
Published by: Akadémiai Kiadó
Keywords: Winchester Psalter; Henry of Blois; Bes; devil; manuscript illumination; ancient Egypt; England; Temptations of Christ; psalter; religion

Summary/Abstract: The present article is about an exceptional depiction of the Devil, as can be seen on the Triple Temptation scene of f.18r in the well-known English Romanesque codex, the Winchester Psalter (Cotton MS Nero C. IV). With the examination of the temptation scenes from contemporary manuscripts, I make an iconographic analysis of this figure, the first Devil in the Psalter, and show that its special physical characteristics were taken from an unexpected source of inspiration, namely the ancient Egyptian god Bes. I explain what reasons might have been behind this unusual choice, and show how it was possible that the illuminator knew about Bes, and what information was needed in order to build in the new elements into the figure of the Devil. I explain what features of Bes were left out from the transmission and why, and also show how brilliantly the artist incorporated the figure into the programme of the Psalter.

  • Issue Year: 67/2023
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 1-53
  • Page Count: 53
  • Language: Hungarian
Toggle Accessibility Mode