| How to look at Medieval Art: Some basic Questions |
| A Narrative image depicts a story. Its purpose is to teach (and esthetically, to please) a. A narrative image is “here and now” in its viewpoint. b. A (medieval) narrative image may show multiple “scenes” of a story in one picture. c. Some pictures have narrative and devotional aspects in the same image |
| 1. Is this a Narrative, a Devotional or a Historical image? |
| A Devotional image is an adjunct to the religious & devotional life of the viewer (although it may also serve other purposes, like showing off.) Devotional images help to focus the viewer's mind and emotions on the relligious meaning of the scene being portrayed. Examples include. a. Icons b.. “Donor” portraits c. Non-canonical images |
| A Historical image is usually narrative in nature, but it is self-conscious of its historical perspective. It is a “there and then” image not a “here and now” image |
| 2. What is the religious viewpoint of the painter/patron? |
| 3. When was it painted? |
| 4. Where was it painted? |
| 5. Why was it painted? |
| 6. What do the details tell us about the image. |