Depiction of mary dressed indecently
Pacheco states that Mary must be depicted decently in her Betrothal scene. The artist Don Luis Pascual was criticised by the Spanish author, whose painting shows a Virgin Mary not dressed “appropriately in correspondence to Her greatness and importance”. The reason for such criticism is because the artist depicted her without a mantle, “with a large Venetian skirt very tucked into the waist, full of many bows of colored ribbons and with large sleeves”. (Pacceho 1990, book 3, ch.12, 591-592)
Almanacs are superstitious
Molanus condemns the use of Almanacks since they display dangerous images and false doctrines
Sacred and profane paintings that promote indecency should be prohibited
Molanus calls for the prohibition of sacred and profane paintings that deliberately discuss, recount or teach indecent or obscene matters, like is the case for books.
The unworthiness of the pagan gods comes forward in their appearance
Molanus condemns and ridicules the pagan gods and names several of them: Vulcan, Apollo, Saturn, Diana, Mercury, Pan, June, and Neptune.
The saints are just poles
Juan de la Fuente affirmed that for testing the power of the saint – that is, to believe in “those stick saints” – the person should take the object to a river and if the saint went upriver he could well believe in him, and if not “he was a piece of the stick”.
Painting the flight into Egypt scene versus The return from Egypt scene
Pacheco when analysing the scenes about the flight into Egypt and the return from there, observes that the artists did not pay attention to some elements concerning these two different moments, mainly concerning the passage of time and the different ages of Christ as a child in such scenes.
Painting the flight into Egypt scene versus The return from Egypt scene
Pacheco when analysing the scenes about the flight into Egypt and the return from there, observes that the artists did not pay attention to some elements concerning these two different moments, mainly concerning the passage of time and the different ages of Christ as a child in such scenes.
Paintings visually reproduce a holy story and thus must be venerated with the same devotion
Molanus argues that paintings are the visual reproduction of a written story, therefore they should receive the same devotion while venerated as the texts themselves.
Joseph holding an axe and other apocryphal subjects are allowed
Molanus argues that, despite the lack of reference in the Scripture, depicting Joseph with an axe does not pose an error.
How to depict death in painting
Molanus calls for caution from artists in the depiction of death since nothing is more uncertain than the moment one passes away.
Crowns or other attributes in the images of Saints to emphasise their virtue
Molanus discusses attributes, like crowns, halos and the like in the depictions of saints, they represent the four cardinal virtues.
Rodrigo de Velasco mocked a sculpted and painted image of the crucifix which was in the prison
The Portuguese Rodrigo de Velasco was denounced by a prison companion
The correct way of creating art
In this section, the characters discuss the correct technical process of creating a work of art.
Lack of visual clarity depicting the Holy Trinity as three equal figures
Regarding the Holy Trinity iconography of three equal figures seated with the same suit and age, with crowns on their heads and scepters in their hands, Pacheco considers an unclear iconography, since it might confuse “the ignorant”. He argues it needs a particular sign of attribute in which each person is known, as well as the distinction of each character and their places, in which the Holy Spirit has to be in the middle.
Archangel St. Michael with the weight scale
Concerning the representation of Archangel St. Michael, Pacheco is clear: is an inadequate manner to depict the St. without a weight scale. Such an element is considered essential to connect with the St.’s role, which is to help the common people to understand that it has the power to receive men’s souls and weigh their merits.
Matters uncertain in the sources, but whose depiction is judged probable by the painters
Molanus concludes that a certain pictorial tradition of an unestablished story does not mean this story has become certain, but that this way of depicting is most probable.
Paintings based on the apocryphal books, the Nativity of Mary and the Infancy of Christ
Molanus affirms that iconographies derived from apocryphal sources but that are approved by the commentators are allowed in art.
In painting St. Peter and St. Paul the painting tradition precedes written texts
Molanus discusses the conflicts between the written sources and the tradition in painting regarding the exterior features of St. Paul, in this case the pictorial tradition should prevail.
Painting of the crucifix described in the letter of the Suprema to the inquisition in Valencia
Letter of the Suprema to the Inquisitors of the town of Valencia describing some canvases that allegedly entered the kingdom and recommending that they be collected so that they do not continue to circulate.
How to represent St. Jerome (and how not to do it)
Dealing with the story of St. Jerome, Pacheco indicates two distinct ways of depicting this saint: one, in his penance in the desert, which is the most common, and the other one, in his cardinal’s costume.
Only theologians should Judge the religious aspects of art
Molanus argues that only theologians are capable of judging whether art is in accordance with the viewpoints of the Church.
Magistrates should take action against indecent art in public places
Molanus calls for the removal of lascivious art from public areas by worldly authorities.
Bacchus is a token of the unworthiness of drunkenness
Molanus condemns and ridicules the pagan gods and focusses on Bacchus.