The Bibles moralisées are a group of seven heavily illustrated Bibles made during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. This dissertation analyzes the thirteenth-century French Moralized Bible now housed in the treasury of Toledo Cathedral. This analysis demonstrates how the manuscript's images create visual exegesis of scripture that is unique and co-equal to the accompanying textual interpretations. The visual exegesis of these images follows the fourfold method of interpretation that was popular during the Middle Ages. Exegetes employed this method to examine the literal meaning of scripture and uncover spiritual meanings of biblical figures and events. These spiritual interpretations allegorically taught the reader Christian doctrine, tropologically created morals to guide behavior, and anagogically reminded the Christian of their future hope of eternal life with Christ. In order to demonstrate how the images of the Toledo Moralized Bible visually interpret scripture according to the fourfold method, this study focuses on exegesis created by images of Christ in the books of 1-4 Kings and the Evangelium. In doing so, this dissertation identifies three roles that Christ plays in the Toledo Bible's interpretive images: authenticator, parent, and princely guide. Analysis of these roles as played by Christ expands our understanding of thirteenth-century Christology and the didactic goals of the Toledo Bible's designers. Scholars agree that Louis IX of France was the intended recipient of the Toledo Bible, and the manuscript presents interpretation of scripture tailored to a royal reader. The Bible's images contain affirmation of religious doctrine and condemnation of non-Christian religions and sects, present insight into attitudes towards Judaism and Jews that is complex and nuanced, and encourage secular rulers to exercise power in service of the Church. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Art History in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester, 2015. / April 6, 2015. / bibles moralisées, Ecclesia, exegesis, illustrated manuscripts, medieval, Synagoga / Includes bibliographical references. / Richard K. Emmerson, Professor Co-Directing Dissertation; Stephanie Leitch, Professor Co-Directing Dissertation; Lori Walters, University Representative; Lynn Jones, Committee Member; Doron Bauer, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_253433 |
| Contributors | Andyshak, Sarah Catherine (authoraut), Emmerson, Richard Kenneth (professor co-directing dissertation), Leitch, Stephanie (professor co-directing dissertation), Walters, Lori (university representative), Jones, Lynn, 1958- (committee member), Bauer, Doron (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Fine Arts (degree granting college), Department of Art History (degree granting department) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource (250 pages), computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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