John Dillenberger Research Articles

Religious Art in the Nineteenth Century in Europe and America (review)

Reviewed by: Religious Art in the Nineteenth Century in Europe and America John Dillenberger Religious Art in the Nineteenth Century in Europe and America. By Thomas Buser. Book 1 and Book 2. [Studies in Art and Religious Interpretation, Volumes 28a and 28b.] (Lewiston, New York: The Edwin Mellen Press. 2002. Pp. xv, 242; iv, 243-566.) Ordinarily one would start a review by giving attention to the content rather than the organization of the book. But inasmuch as reading it is made easier by being aware of the unity of the segments, let me start with organizational matters. While there are two bound books, the two are really one volume in pagination and in related content, with a rough chronology throughout. Then there is a listing of forty plates after the table of contents in each volume, with the plates themselves bunched together toward the middle of each book. Apparently because of some technical issues, the twelve color plates in each listing do not correspond easily with the listing of the plates. Hence, in Book 1, the color plates which are discussed first, are actually last in the listing of the plates. So, the first plates start with plate 13, while the twelve color plates follow after plate 40. In Book 2, the chronology is correct, but here, too, the color plates have no number. Knowing this arrangement can save time in seeing the unity of text and plates, which the reader would want to explore. Buser is convinced that religious art is as fully present in nineteenth-century Europe and America as in any other period. In this, he has succeeded. There is hardly an artist of note who does not receive attention, together with literary figures and theologians. Among them are such figures as Ary Scheffer, Dante Gabriel Rosetti, Edward Burne-Jones, Eugene Delacroix, Elihu Vedder, Friedrich Overbeck, John Everett Millais, J. M. W. Turner, John Martin, Caspar David Friedrich, William Holman Hunt, Benjamin West, William Blake, Frederick Edwin Church, George Innes, Fritz von Uhde. He has obviously lived with the figures, for he writes with ease and command about all of them. The footnotes at the end of each book are exceptionally helpful. While this is a coherent book, it also serves as a kind of dictionary of the period. While I would prefer a fuller theological explication, that is not the book he set out to write and one should not be critical that he did not. The test is, what has one learned from the book. It is a full picture of the variety of art, artists, and [End Page 519] currents of the time, from the orthodox to the liberal, theological and more secular. Given its comprehensiveness, it is a book that I will continue to consult. John Dillenberger Graduate Theological Union (Emeritus) Berkeley, California Copyright © 2004 The Catholic University of America Press

Images and Relics: Theological Perceptions and Visual Images in Sixteenth-Century Europe. John Dillenberger

Previous articleNext article No AccessBook ReviewsImages and Relics: Theological Perceptions and Visual Images in Sixteenth-Century Europe. John Dillenberger Sheryl E. ReissSheryl E. Reiss Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Journal of Religion Volume 82, Number 1Jan., 2002 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/491015 Views: 2Total views on this site Copyright 2002 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Scott B. Montgomery. Review of "Images and Relics: Theological Perceptions and Visual Images in Sixteenth-Century Europe" by John Dillenberger.

Scott B. Montgomery. Review of "Images and Relics: Theological Perceptions and Visual Images in Sixteenth-Century Europe" by John Dillenberger.

Images and Relics: Theological Perceptions and Visual Images in Sixteenth-Century Europe (review)

Early Modern European Images and Relics: Theological Perceptions and Visual Images in Sixteenth-- Century Europe. By John Dillenberger. [Oxford Studies in Historical Theology.] (NewYork: Oxford University Press. 1999. Pp. xii, 248; 85 halftones. $45.00.) In this new volume, John Dillenberger endeavors to present, in his words, an of nature and place... of visual in sixteenth-- century European religious reformations, an account which, rather than being summary, will offer way of whole from a theological perspective (p. vii). He begins pursuit of this goal through a general introduction, outlining major reforming movements of sixteenth century, with particular attention paid to place of relics, saints, and within movements, both Protestant and Catholic. The author then moves on to heart of book, a consideration of seven artists-Matthias Grunewald, Albrecht Diu-er, Lucas Cranach Elder, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Hans Holbein Younger, Hans Baldung Grien, and Albrecht Altdorfer-the first four of whom he accords individual chapters, last three he treats together in a single chapter. He situates these artists within their historical and theological contexts, offering interpretations of some of their most famous works in an attempt to elucidate their theological meanings. In a concluding chapter, entitled Iconoclasm and Beyond, he traces major iconoclastic developments of century, some of ways in which Catholic Church responded to attacks on images, and, finally, arguing that the wounds of reformations have not healed; appeals for a disciplined theory of images and a learned modality of seeing (p. 191) within our modern visual culture. In a number of ways, Dillenberger provides a provocative and highly thoughtful account of one of most complex and tormented centuries of image production. There are few scholars more capable than he in synthesizing historical roots and doctrinal controversies of Reformation, and he articulates them here in a remarkably cogent way in order to set stage for understanding work of seven artists he discusses. Ranging across media-from prints to paintings to sculpture-he is frequently eloquent in his description of works of art; he provides pertinent information on their patrons and intended function; and for some of under discussion-especially Lucas Cranach Elder's allegories of Law and Gospel-he offers subtle and convincing theological readings. But what is most laudable is his inclusion of an Italian artist-Michelangelo-within his study, which serves to bridge false and arbitrary divide between north and south, and allows reader to see how issues of reform were equally relevant to artists within and outside Catholic fold. Unfortunately, Images and Relics is also a disappointing book, especially with respect to fulfilling its stated goal, and depth and originality of its analysis of images. Given selective foci of his study, it is no wonder that book fails to live up to grand goal Dillenberger set for himself. What results from his discussions of seven artists is a rather fragmentary and summary picture, rather than a view of the whole. The vast majority of his readings of images, including Grunewald's Isenheim Altarpiece and Michelangelo's Last Judgment-simply reiterate other scholars' arguments; he ignores a number of important older and recent publications (among them, From a Mighty Fortress: Prints, Drawings and Books in Age of Luther, 1493-1546 [1983] and 0. Batschman and P. Griener, Hans Holbein [ 1997]); and elsewhere he offers seemingly endless descriptions of works with little or no analysis. The book is also marred by a number of factual errors. For example, Council of Trent did not last from 1542 to 1564, as he writes on page 10 (nor from 1543 to 1564, as he states on page 116), but instead actually convened in 1545 and ended in 1563; S. …

Images and Relics: Theological Perceptions and Visual Images in Sixteenth-Century Europe

This text explores the extent to which artists of 16th-century Europe were influenced by ideas of religious reform. Analyzing the content works by eight artists, John Dillenberger argues that these artists' productions provide a fascinating map of the evolution and influence of major theological currents of their time. This book is intended for students and scholars of reformation and counter-reformation history, and European art.

Book Review: A Theology of Artistic Sensibilities. By John Dillenberger. London: SCM Press, 1987. 280. £15

Book Review: A Theology of Artistic Sensibilities. By John Dillenberger. London: SCM Press, 1987. 280. £15

The Visual Arts and Christianity in America: From the Colonial Period to the Present By John Dillenberger Crossroad, 1988. 290 pp. $39.50

The Visual Arts and Christianity in America: From the Colonial Period to the Present <i>By John Dillenberger</i> Crossroad, 1988. 290 pp. $39.50

The Visual Arts and Christianity in America: From the Colonial Period to the Present. By John Dillenberger. New, expanded edition. New York: Crossroad, 1989. xi + 290 pages, 184 plates. $39.50.

The Visual Arts and Christianity in America: From the Colonial Period to the Present. By John Dillenberger. New, expanded edition. New York: Crossroad, 1989. xi + 290 pages, 184 plates. $39.50.

BOOK REVIEWS

Journal Article BOOK REVIEWS Get access The Visual Arts and Christianity in America: From the Colonial Period to the Present. By John Dillenberger . New, expanded edition. Crossroad, 1989. 290 pages. $39.50. Lois Marie Fink Lois Marie Fink National Museum of American Art Smithsonian Institution Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Volume LVIII, Issue 4, Winter 1990, Pages 700–703, https://doi.org/10.1093/jaarel/LVIII.4.700 Published: 01 December 1990

A Theology of Artistic Sensibilities: The Visual Arts and the Church. John Dillenberger

<i>A Theology of Artistic Sensibilities: The Visual Arts and the Church</i>. John Dillenberger

A Theology of Artistic Sensibilities: The Visual Arts and the Church by John Dillenberger. New York, Crossroad, 1986. 280 Pp. $22.50

A Theology of Artistic Sensibilities: The Visual Arts and the Church <i>by John Dillenberger</i>. New York, Crossroad, 1986. 280 Pp. $22.50

BOOK REVIEWS

BOOK REVIEWS Get access The Visual Arts and Christianity in America: The Colonial Period Through the Nineteenth Century. By John Dillenberger. Scholars Press, 1984. 225 pages. $29.95 ($19.50 member), cloth; $19.50 ($12.95 member), paper. Kenneth Lawrence Kenneth Lawrence Texas Christian University Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Volume LIV, Issue 3, Fall 1986, Pages 574–575, https://doi.org/10.1093/jaarel/LIV.3.574 Published: 01 October 1986

The Visual Arts and Christianity in America: The Colonial Period through the Nineteenth Century. By John Dillenberger. Studies in the Humanities, 5. Chico, CA: Scholars Press, 1984. 120 pages. $29.95 (paper $19.50).

The Visual Arts and Christianity in America: The Colonial Period through the Nineteenth Century. By John Dillenberger. Studies in the Humanities, 5. Chico, CA: Scholars Press, 1984. 120 pages. $29.95 (paper $19.50).

John Dillenberger, The Visual Arts and Chrisitianity in America: The Colonial Period Through The Nineteenth Century

John Dillenberger, The Visual Arts and Chrisitianity in America: The Colonial Period Through The Nineteenth Century

The Visual Arts and Christianity in America: The Colonial Period Through the Nineteenth Century. John Dillenberger

<i>The Visual Arts and Christianity in America: The Colonial Period Through the Nineteenth Century</i>. John Dillenberger

The Visual Arts and Christianity in America. The Colonial Period through the Nineteenth Century. John Dillenberger

<i>The Visual Arts and Christianity in America. The Colonial Period through the Nineteenth Century</i>. John Dillenberger

Benjamin West: The Context of His Life's Work with Particular Attention to Paintings with Religious Subject Matter, Including a correlated version of early nineteenth-century lists of West's paintings, exhibitions and sales records of his works, and also a current checklist of his major religious works. By John Dillenberger. San Antonio, Texas: Trinity University Press, 1977. xvii + 238 pp. $25.00.

Benjamin West: The Context of His Life's Work with Particular Attention to Paintings with Religious Subject Matter, Including a correlated version of early nineteenth-century lists of West's paintings, exhibitions and sales records of his works, and also a current checklist of his major religious works. By John Dillenberger. San Antonio, Texas: Trinity University Press, 1977. xvii + 238 pp. $25.00.

ARTS, LITERATURE, AND RELIGION

ARTS, LITERATURE, AND RELIGION Get access Benjamin West The Context of His Life's Work, with Particular Attention to Paintings with Religious Subject Matter By John Dillenberger. San Antonio: Trinity University Press, 1977 xvii+238 pages. Including a correlated version of early nineteenth-century lists of West's paintings, exhibitions, and sales records of his works, and also a current checklist of his major religious works N.P.L.C. No 76-42004. James G. Moseley James G. Moseley New College of the UniversitySouth Florida Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Volume XLVI, Issue 4, December 1978, Pages 613-b–614, https://doi.org/10.1093/jaarel/XLVI.4.613-b Published: 01 December 1978

John Calvin: Selections from His Writings. Edited and with an introduction by John Dillenberger. Garden City: Doubleday, 1971. 590 pp. $2.45Calvin. By Wilhelm Neuser. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter and Co., 1971. 121 pp. DM 5.8.

John Calvin: Selections from His Writings. Edited and with an introduction by John Dillenberger. Garden City: Doubleday, 1971. 590 pp. $2.45 - Calvin. By Wilhelm Neuser. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter and Co., 1971. 121 pp. DM 5.8. - Volume 41 Issue 2

John Calvin: Selections from His Writings. Edited and with an introduction by John Dillenberger. Garden City: Doubleday, 1971. 590 pp. $2.45 - Calvin. By Wilhelm Neuser. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter and Co., 1971. 121 pp. DM 5.8.

John Calvin: Selections from His Writings. Edited and with an introduction by John Dillenberger. Garden City: Doubleday, 1971. 590 pp. $2.45 - Calvin. By Wilhelm Neuser. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter and Co., 1971. 121 pp. DM 5.8. - Volume 41 Issue 2