atlas2




  • The correct way of creating art



    In this section, the characters discuss the correct technical process of creating a work of art.

    Conflict
    Capriccio Ignorance/Negligence of the artist
    Mention
    Fabriano, 1564
    Subject
    the necessity of drawings and models to prevent subjective ideas in painting
  • 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.

    Conflict
    Issues with attributes Lack of visual clarity
    Mention
    Seville, 1649
    Subject
    holy trinity
  • 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.

    Conflict
    Inadequate manner
    Mention
    Seville, 1649
    Subject
    Archangel St. Michael
  • Frostispiece of Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), Antwerp, Gasparus Bellerus

    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.

    Conflict
    Not corresponding to Scriptures Visual tradition/Artistic model vs. written Tradition/History
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    Flight into Egypt ; Saul ; Virgin Mary
  • 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.

    Conflict
    Open doctrinal issues
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    Infancy of Christ ; Nativity of Mary
  • Frostispiece of Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), Antwerp, Gasparus Bellerus

    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.

    Conflict
    Outer appearance Visual tradition/Artistic model vs. written Tradition/History
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    St. Paul ; St. Peter
  • Painting of the crucifix described in the letter of the Suprema to the inquisition in Valencia

    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.

    Conflict
    Lutheran
    Mention
    Valencia, 3. October 1571
    Subject
    Crucifix ; Schola Cordis
  • Images destroyed by fire in France

    Béarn


    Conflict
    Lutheran
    Mention
    Aragon, 1572
    Subject
  • 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.

    Conflict
    Inadequate manner Untruthfulness/Not probable/Not corresponding to history
    Mention
    Seville, 1649
    Subject
    St. Jerome
  • Frostispiece of Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), Antwerp, Gasparus Bellerus

    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.

    Conflict
    Judging art
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    Judgement of religious art
  • Frostispiece of Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), Antwerp, Gasparus Bellerus

    Magistrates should take action against indecent art in public places



    Molanus calls for the removal of lascivious art from public areas by worldly authorities.

    Conflict
    Indecency/Impropriety Nudity/Obscenity/Lasciviousness
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    Indecent art
  • Bacchus is a token of the unworthiness of drunkenness



    Molanus condemns and ridicules the pagan gods and focusses on Bacchus.

    Conflict
    Heretical image Sacred vs. profane imagery
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    Bacchus
  • Disbelief in the images of the saints, of the Virgin Mary and in relics

    Aragon


    An old Christian (cristiano viejo) from Portugal does not believe in images of saints and the Virgin Mary, nor in relics

    Conflict
    Iconoclasm/Critic to image cult
    Mention
    Aragon, 1579
    Subject
    Francis of Assisi ; Mary Magdalene ; Relics ; Virgin
  • Frontispiece of: Gilio, Giovanni Andrea, Due dialogi (1564), Camerino : Antonio Giojoso

    On the desirable education of a painter



    The subject of the passage is the inadequate training of contemporary artists in comparison to antiquity, to which the participants attribute the errors in art. They cite ancient artists, such as Eupompus of Sicyon, as a positive reference.

    Conflict
    Contemporary vs. ancient artist Untruthfulness/Not probable/Not corresponding to history
    Mention
    Fabriano, 1564
    Subject
    historic painter ; poetic painter
  • The correct way of depicting “Christ’s dispute with the doctors in the temple”



    Pacheco states in this passage how should be depicted the scene “Christ’s dispute with the doctors in the temple”. Also, he mentions the image made by Jeronimo Nadal as a good model to be followed.

    Conflict
    Mention
    Seville, 1649
    Subject
    Christ's dispute with the doctors in the temple
  • Frostispiece of Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), Antwerp, Gasparus Bellerus

    Holy Scriptures are suitable decoration for churches



    Molanus refers to Early-Christian sources and the Council of Nice for the decoration of churches and confirms the suitabilty of stories from the Holy Scriptures for this scope.

    Conflict
    Visual tradition/Artistic model vs. written Tradition/History
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    New Testament ; Old Testament
  • Joseph holding a green branch as a sign of his virginity



    Molanus affirms that the green branch held by Joseph in paintings can only refer to his virginity.

    Conflict
    Acceptable errors Not corresponding to Scriptures Not corresponding with Church teaching/dogma
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    Joseph
  • Frostispiece of Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), Antwerp, Gasparus Bellerus

    Objects expressing sacrality



    Molanus explains that certain objects, such as the cross, the aureole, and the palm, can be used in images to express sacrality.

    Conflict
    Sacred vs. profane imagery
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    Signs of sacrality
  • Frostispiece of Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), Antwerp, Gasparus Bellerus

    The memory of bad people will vanish, despite ordering many artworks of themselves



    Molanus argues that people will be recorded for their virtues, as the case of Apelles’ paintings of Alexander the Great demonstrates.

    Conflict
    Iconoclasm/Critic to image cult
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    Alexander the Great ; Apelles ; Lysipus
  • It is better not to befriend carvers and makers of images of saints

    Zaragoza


    A certain Beltrán de la Borda was accused of despising images because he said that the friends of the carvers and makers of saints were “guitones”

    Conflict
    Idolatry Lutheran
    Mention
    Aragon, 1588
    Subject
    Saints
  • The crucifixion



    In the course of the passage, the participants discuss elements of the crucifixion.

    Conflict
    Nails Not corresponding to Scriptures Untruthfulness/Not probable/Not corresponding to history
    Mention
    Fabriano, 1564
    Subject
    Crucifixion ; Helena ; Nails ; Placement of the crosses ; Thieves
  • How to represent St. John Baptist (and how not to do it)



    What concerns the life of the saints, Pacheco started his analysis with the iconography of St. John Baptist. In his analysis, he pointed out four things: the first, his age and countenance; the second, his vestments; the third, his insignia; the last, the occupations and exercises in which he should be painted. Some inadequate elements of depicting the St. observed by Pacheco were: with fur; without a lamb; without a cross; eating, decomposed, drinking from a cliff stretched out of his breast.

    Conflict
    Inadequate manner
    Mention
    Seville, 1649
    Subject
    St. John Baptist
  • Frostispiece of Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), Antwerp, Gasparus Bellerus

    Depiction of the martyrs by painters is often done according to convenience and should not be analysed in a too detailed manner



    Molanus argues that the outer features of martyrs in paintings, such as their clothes and height, should not be taken too literally, since they are painted according to artistic convenience.

    Conflict
    Clothes anachronism/Errors/Adornment Figurative vs. literal reading
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    Martyr
  • Devil in images of a dying people



    Molanus affirms that one can paint devils and demons in images of dying people.

    Conflict
    Judging art
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    Presence of the devil in painting of dying man
  • Frostispiece of Molanus, De historia sanctarum imaginum et picturarum (1617), Antwerp, Gasparus Bellerus

    On how to depict St. Marc



    Molanus discusses the exterior features of St. Mark, who would have been of the height and age of a mature man.

    Conflict
    Outer appearance Visual tradition/Artistic model vs. written Tradition/History
    Mention
    Leuven, 1617
    Subject
    St. Mark