FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN ABBOT SUGER’S REFLECTIONS ON THE MAIN
ALTAR OF SAINT-DENIS: COLORS AND GEMS, MATERIALITY AND LIGHT

J 2022

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN ABBOT SUGER’S REFLECTIONS ON THE MAIN ALTAR OF SAINT-DENIS: COLORS AND GEMS, MATERIALITY AND LIGHT

VIRDIS, Alberto

Basic information

Original name

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN ABBOT SUGER’S REFLECTIONS ON THE MAIN ALTAR OF SAINT-DENIS: COLORS AND GEMS, MATERIALITY AND LIGHT

Authors

VIRDIS, Alberto (380 Italy, guarantor, belonging to the institution)

Edition

CODEX AQUILARENSIS, FUNDACION SANTA MARIA REAL, CENTRO ESTUDIOS ROMANICO, 2022, 0214-896X

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

60401 Arts, Art history

Country of publisher

Spain

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

Link to the homepage of the result

Impact factor

Impact factor: 0.100

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14210/22:00133976

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

UT WoS

001000578500006

Keywords in English

Abbot Suger; medieval allegory; Saint-Denis; altar; liturgical furnishings; metaphysical pansemiosis; Umberto Eco; pseudo-Dionysius

Abstract

V originále

Abbot Suger, in De Administratione, invites his readers to consider the precious materials adorning the altar of Saint-Denis from an allegorical perspective. His metaphors encompass the liturgical furnishings of the altar as well as the colors of its gems, stones, and precious metals. Suger also refers to matter and light, and the ascent from what is material towards what is immaterial. The “anagogic” function of polychrome gems, as described by Suger, is rooted in the neoplatonic ideas of pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, whose ideas were also the basis for John Scotus Eriugena’s concept of theophany. This article thoroughly analyzes the symbolic and allegorical language in Abbot Suger’s writings and reconnects them with the figurative language used in Medieval Latin culture: the typological, encyclopedic, and liturgical allegories, as well as metaphysical pansemiosis. Suger’s references to specific theoretical and textual passages in the writings of Eriugena and Hugh of St.Victor will be identified. Finally, an analysis will be made of the altars at Saint-Denis and related liturgical furnishings, using Suger’s descriptions, other written and figurative sources, and the few material fragments preserved. Specific attention will be paid to the allegorical interpretation of colors and precious materials, including the cryptic materia saphirorum.

Links

EF20_079/0017045, research and development project

Name: MSCAfellow4@MUNI

Citovat

VIRDIS, Alberto. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN ABBOT SUGER’S REFLECTIONS ON THE MAIN ALTAR OF SAINT-DENIS: COLORS AND GEMS, MATERIALITY AND LIGHT. CODEX AQUILARENSIS. FUNDACION SANTA MARIA REAL, CENTRO ESTUDIOS ROMANICO, 2022, vol. 38, No 1, p. 117-140. ISSN 0214-896X.

@article{2253361,
   author = {Virdis, Alberto},
   article_number = {1},
   keywords = {Abbot Suger; medieval allegory; Saint-Denis; altar; liturgical furnishings; metaphysical pansemiosis; Umberto Eco; pseudo-Dionysius},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {0214-896X},
   journal = {CODEX AQUILARENSIS},
   title = {FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN ABBOT SUGER’S REFLECTIONS ON THE MAIN ALTAR OF SAINT-DENIS: COLORS AND GEMS, MATERIALITY AND LIGHT},
   url = {https://tienda.santamarialareal.org/es/productos/detalles/codex-aquilarensis-n-38-el-equipamiento-del-altar-medieval-de-la-materia-a-la-luz/743},
   volume = {38},
   year = {2022}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2253361
AU  - Virdis, Alberto
PY  - 2022
TI  - FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN ABBOT SUGER’S REFLECTIONS ON THE MAIN ALTAR OF SAINT-DENIS: COLORS AND GEMS, MATERIALITY AND LIGHT
JF  - CODEX AQUILARENSIS
VL  - 38
IS  - 1
SP  - 117-140
EP  - 117-140
PB  - FUNDACION SANTA MARIA REAL, CENTRO ESTUDIOS ROMANICO
SN  - 0214896X
KW  - Abbot Suger
KW  - medieval allegory
KW  - Saint-Denis
KW  - altar
KW  - liturgical furnishings
KW  - metaphysical pansemiosis
KW  - Umberto Eco
KW  - pseudo-Dionysius
UR  - https://tienda.santamarialareal.org/es/productos/detalles/codex-aquilarensis-n-38-el-equipamiento-del-altar-medieval-de-la-materia-a-la-luz/743
N2  - Abbot Suger, in De Administratione, invites his readers to consider the precious materials adorning the altar of Saint-Denis from an allegorical perspective. His metaphors encompass the liturgical furnishings of the altar as well as the colors of its gems, stones, and precious metals. Suger also refers to matter and light, and the ascent from what is material towards what is immaterial. The “anagogic” function of polychrome gems, as described by Suger, is rooted in the neoplatonic ideas of pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, whose ideas were also the basis for John Scotus Eriugena’s concept of theophany. This article thoroughly analyzes the symbolic and allegorical language in Abbot Suger’s writings and reconnects them with the figurative language used in Medieval Latin culture: the typological, encyclopedic, and liturgical allegories, as well as metaphysical pansemiosis. Suger’s references to specific theoretical and textual passages in the writings of Eriugena and Hugh of St.Victor will be identified. Finally, an analysis will be made of the altars at Saint-Denis and related liturgical furnishings, using Suger’s descriptions, other written and figurative sources, and the few material fragments preserved. Specific attention will be paid to the allegorical interpretation of colors and precious materials, including the cryptic materia saphirorum.
ER  -

VIRDIS, Alberto. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN ABBOT SUGER’S REFLECTIONS ON THE MAIN ALTAR OF SAINT-DENIS: COLORS AND GEMS, MATERIALITY AND LIGHT. \textit{CODEX AQUILARENSIS}. FUNDACION SANTA MARIA REAL, CENTRO ESTUDIOS ROMANICO, 2022, vol.~38, No~1, p.~117-140. ISSN~0214-896X.

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