Virgin of the Apocalypse 3: Brussels, Belgium
The Virgin of the Apocalypse (Vision of the Fifth Seal)
1699
Henri-Francois Verghruggen (1654 - 1724)
Oak and gilding
Found on top of the baldachin over the pulpit in the church of SS Michel and Gudule
Brussels
Here, the Virgin is seen as the "New Eve" -- the one untouched by original sin and through whom redemption was made possible. Under her feet is the upturned sickle of the new moon and about her head are the twelve stars of the Lady of the Apocalypse described in the Revelations. In this example, however, the Virgin has no wings. Rather, she is accompanied by a figure of a young Christ with his foot firmly placed on the serpent's neck. Both the Virgin and Child grasp a spear -- here transformed into a long lance -- topped by a cross. The Virgin's hands, hovering above the child's, seem to guide the lance as it strikes the serpent between the eyes.
At the base of the pulpit is a wood carving of Adam and Eve cowering before the gnarled Tree of Life and the avenging angel. Above them is carved a latin phrase in which the nave "EVA" has been transposed to read "AVE".
This photograph was taken from Leng Leng Tan's photostream. To see more of Leng Lengs photos, please go to his stream at: www.flickr.com/photos/lenglengtan/260935207/in/set-721575...
To read the discussion on the Virgin of the Apocalypse, please go to the group Santos: Images of Faith and browse this discussion thread: www.flickr.com/groups/santos_images_of_faith/discuss/7215...
Virgin of the Apocalypse 3: Brussels, Belgium
The Virgin of the Apocalypse (Vision of the Fifth Seal)
1699
Henri-Francois Verghruggen (1654 - 1724)
Oak and gilding
Found on top of the baldachin over the pulpit in the church of SS Michel and Gudule
Brussels
Here, the Virgin is seen as the "New Eve" -- the one untouched by original sin and through whom redemption was made possible. Under her feet is the upturned sickle of the new moon and about her head are the twelve stars of the Lady of the Apocalypse described in the Revelations. In this example, however, the Virgin has no wings. Rather, she is accompanied by a figure of a young Christ with his foot firmly placed on the serpent's neck. Both the Virgin and Child grasp a spear -- here transformed into a long lance -- topped by a cross. The Virgin's hands, hovering above the child's, seem to guide the lance as it strikes the serpent between the eyes.
At the base of the pulpit is a wood carving of Adam and Eve cowering before the gnarled Tree of Life and the avenging angel. Above them is carved a latin phrase in which the nave "EVA" has been transposed to read "AVE".
This photograph was taken from Leng Leng Tan's photostream. To see more of Leng Lengs photos, please go to his stream at: www.flickr.com/photos/lenglengtan/260935207/in/set-721575...
To read the discussion on the Virgin of the Apocalypse, please go to the group Santos: Images of Faith and browse this discussion thread: www.flickr.com/groups/santos_images_of_faith/discuss/7215...