Last Judgment in iconography.Case studies

Abstract

The present study proposes a research on the iconography of the Last Judgment, starting from the 5th and 6th centuries up to the 14th century, when the compositional structure had already been established. These early scenes correspond to a symbolic vision whose character and perspective are both eschatological. The theological elements set forth demonstrate the fact that the iconographic scenes have a biblical foundation that is both necessary and included in their thematic typology. We have analyzed case studies both from Eastern Europe and from the West; they testify to the fact that certain iconographic details had been embraced until a complex compositional structure was shaped. The proposed examples have been executed in different techniques, throughout different eras, and across different geographical areas. Among these techniques, we note mosaics, bas-reliefs, frescoes, illustrated manuscripts, and icons. Our case studies include the miniature from Paris and the one from the British Library in London, as well as the mosaic from Torcello and the icon from Sinai. The depictions of the Judgment contain significant scenes and registries, such as: Jesus in the Almond Tree, the scene of the Deisis and the Twelve Apostles, the throne of Etimasia, the river of fire, the righteous and the sinners, Heaven and Hell, as well as the weighing of souls.