Between the Image and the Word. Research Methods Applied to the Study of the Depictions of Iudicium Sanguinarium Iudaeorum contra Jesum Christum Salvatorem Mundi

Abstract

The article presents the method of indirect comparative research, which was applied to study the iconography of the images presenting the trial of Jesus in a unique convention. These depictions appeared first on the German territory in 1580 and could be found in many countries of Christian Europe until the 19th century. The depicted scene takes place in praetorium where the trial of Jesus takes place, his judges being Pilate, Caiaphas and 19 members of the Sanhedrin, as well as a crowd of Jews. The statements of individual judges were written in the depiction in the form of concise inscriptions. The method is based on presenting the mutual influence between literature and art created at the same time and within the same subject. Applying this method has allowed us to include the depictions in the group of propaganda works of art. The article presents the most important findings concerning the circumstances in which the works were created, as well as their function. Collecting approximately 100 works of ar...