Abstract

The article considers the issue of possible Jewish influence on the formation of the image of the Copper Serpent in the artistic culture of Western Europe in the 11th – 12th centuries. For many centuries, textual mention and pictorial image of the scene of the exaltation of the Copper Serpent was tacitly taboo due to the difficulty of explaining the creation of the statue by Moses after receiving a ban from the Lord on the creation of idols. Active reference to the subject became possible only during the Crusades in the context of Christian typological exegesis, where the Copper Serpent is understood as a prototype of the Crucifixion. The development of the iconography of Num. 21:6–9 on the western and eastern banks of the Rhine occurred independently of each other, resulting in the formation of two distinct pictorial types. Herewith, on the west bank, especially in the territories of northern France and modern Belgium, the image of a winged dragon sitting on a column became widespread. According to the author, such a type attempts to ontologize the complicated image of the divine messenger, through whom the people of Israel were granted salvation from death. In that iconography the serpent itself is understood as Christ, which makes it impossible to depict him in the form of an ordinary snake, which in most cases is a symbol of sin and death. Most probably, the authors of the first iconographic programs of the type turn to the Jewish original source in search of possible ways of depiction, supported by Middle Eastern and directly Jewish art. Following such hypothesis, the dragon in the image of the Copper Serpent is Saraf or Seraphim, i.e. the embodiment of the angelic rank visible to humans.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.