The bed in images of the Annunciation of the 14th and 15th centuries: a dogmatic symbol according to Greek-Eastern Patrology

• Salvador-González, José María ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad Complutense de Madrid

     Universidad Complutense de Madrid

     Madrid, España

     
• Localización: Imago: revista de emblemática y cultura visual, ISSN 2171-0147, ISSN-e 2254-9633, Nº. 12, 2020, págs. 7-31
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This article has the purpose of interpreting the deep doctrinal meanings underlying the bed that appears in the scenography of some images of the Annunciation of the 14th and 15th centuries. To do so, we adopt two complementary methodological strategies, based on comparative analysis. In essence, from the outset we analyze an abundant corpus of explanatory texts by Fathers of the Greek-Eastern Church when they interpret some quotations from the Old Testament that include metaphorical terms such as thalamus, Sponsus, and Sponsa; second, we analyze twelve images from the Annunciation of the period that include a bed. Based on the fact that these Greek-Eastern Fathers unanimously consider that these metaphorical expressions signify the dogmas of the human incarnation of God the Son in the womb of the Virgin, and, as a consequence, also the divine virginal motherhood of Mary, we conclude that the bed included in these Annunciations is an eloquent visual symbol or metaphor for both dogmas