Moral Theology and the Care of Souls: The Last Judgment in Thirteenth-Century French Sculpture

• Other Authors: Feltman, Jennifer M. (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Art > History
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-6246

The Last Judgment, depicted at least twenty times in French sculpture alone, was one of the most frequently represented themes in the architectural sculpture of the thirteenth century, yet no one has explained its vast popularity, nor has anyone addressed multiple sculptural programs through in-depth case studies. This dissertation grounds the widespread interest in depicting the Last Judgment in a contemporary trend in moral theology, which emphasized the need for individual contrition and confession. The new interest in moral theology is traced to the educational reforms that were initiated by the Third Lateran Council (1179), most specifically, the education of priests and laity concerning sin, confession, penance, and absolution. I argue that these played into the creation of dramatic programs of the Last Judgment and provides a context for understanding the development of new types of imagery associated with the Last Judgment, such as Confessor Saints, Virtues and Vices, and the Intercessors. Case studies demonstrate that the iconography of the Last Judgment at the cathedrals of Chartres, Paris, Amiens, and Reims provided the clergy and laity alike with site-specific explanations not only of the coming Judgment, but also with visual examples of how to prepare for it. The appendices provide the first collection of detailed diagrams and descriptions of each sculpted stone in the Last Judgment programs of Chartres, Paris, Amiens, and Reims. They also include a listing of Last Judgment sculptural programs from the twelfth to fifteenth centuries. === A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Art History in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Fall Semester, 2011. === October 5, 2011. === Last Judgment, medieval iconography, moral theology, penance, sculptural program, thirteenth-century France === Includes bibliographical references. === Paula L. Gerson, Professor Directing Dissertation; David F. Johnson, University Representative; Richard K. Emmerson, Committee Member; Jack Freiberg, Committee Member; Stephanie Leitch, Committee Member; Lori J. Walters, Committee Member.