It is forbidden to produce sensual art
Year mention: 1617
Subject:
Images corrupting the soul
Conflict:
Nudity/Obscenity/Lasciviousness
Criticism:

Indecent and lascivious art spreads from the eye to the soul and then corrupts it, therefore such pictures should be forbidden

Agent:
Molanus, Johannes
Frostispiece of Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), Antwerp, Gasparus Bellerus
Frontispiece of Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), Antwerp, Gasparus Bellerus
Augsburg, Staats- und Stadtbibliothek — Th H 1475. Digital Reproduction: München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, 2015.

Molanus argues that indecent and lascivious art should be forbidden because its message spreads from the eye to the soul and then corrupts it.

“Let us therefore listen to Canon 100 of the sixth Council of Trullo: ‘Wisdom commands that you make sure your eyes look straight and your heart is kept safe. Because the sensuality of the body easily pours into the soul. Therefore, we command that pictures which blind the eyes and corrupt the mind, and inflame the indecent pleasures, are by no means to be printed hereafter. And if anyone would try to do this, he must be put down.'”

“Auscultemus igitur ad Canonem 100. sextae in Trullo Synodi, oculi tui recta aspiciant, et omni custodia serva cor tuum, iubet Sapientia. Corporis enim sensus sua facile in animam effundunt. Picturas ergo quae oculos perstringunt et mentem corrumpunt et ad turpium voluptatum movent incendia, nullo modo deinceps imprimi iubemus: Si quis autem hoc facere aggressus fuerit, deponatur.”

Date mention
1617

Historical Location
Leuven

Source
Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), book 2, ch. 42, 151
Literature

Molanus 1996, 247.; David Freedberg, “Johannes Molanus on Provocative Paintings. De Historia Sanctarum Imaginum et
Picturarum, Book II, Chapter 42″, Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, 1971, Vol. 34 (1971), pp. 229-
245.

Permanent Link
https://www.sacrima.eu/case/it-is-forbidden-to-produce-sensual-art-2/