There are several aspects to the discussion. Is the presence of red paint on the VMs wings an indicator for an iconic identification connecting to representations of Saint Michael? No, because there are various representations of Saint Michael where red paint is not used on the wings or elsewhere.
Furthermore, there are red wings found on other archangels, by an artist who died in 1368.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
The iconic interpretation is not universal. That does not mean that it could not have been regional or cultural. Here is where the interpretation seems to fit. Saint Michael is sometimes depicted with red wings, or with red areas on the wings. There is also another set of illustrations where 'the red is on' a cloak or cape. [Fabric versus feathers] It's sometimes difficult to find provenance for some images, but it seems that red cloak images tend to be Spanish.
So, back at the VMs, are the red painted areas a part of the wing, OR are they part of a cloak that covers the shoulders of the wings??? Fabric or feather? And does the possible interpretation of a red cloak also imply a Spanish connotation - and why not? Already, there is Shirakatsi. The interpretation my not be universally iconic, but it may still be valid, or useful, to the VMs artist.
To what extent was Portugal similar to the other Spanish states in the representation of Saint Michael? To what extent was Isabella of Portugal influential in the Burgundian state?
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
Another aspect is the orientation of the wings. Do the tips point up, sideways, opposite, or down. The VMs has feathers pointed in all directions, so it's more ambiguity, but if the wings were folded or closed, there would not be feathers standing up. Therefore, the VMs wings should be considered raised. And if raised wings are required, there are significantly fewer potential candidates. The wings on the representation of Saint Michael in the church at Schwabisch Hall are fully extended. And partly red.
It's not unlike the Vms artist to combine elements from disparate sources, it's practically a modus operandi.
And after all this subtle trickery on the visual side, what's happening on the linguistic side? If the image is intended to reference Saint Michael, is the text a prayer?
Furthermore, there are red wings found on other archangels, by an artist who died in 1368.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
The iconic interpretation is not universal. That does not mean that it could not have been regional or cultural. Here is where the interpretation seems to fit. Saint Michael is sometimes depicted with red wings, or with red areas on the wings. There is also another set of illustrations where 'the red is on' a cloak or cape. [Fabric versus feathers] It's sometimes difficult to find provenance for some images, but it seems that red cloak images tend to be Spanish.
So, back at the VMs, are the red painted areas a part of the wing, OR are they part of a cloak that covers the shoulders of the wings??? Fabric or feather? And does the possible interpretation of a red cloak also imply a Spanish connotation - and why not? Already, there is Shirakatsi. The interpretation my not be universally iconic, but it may still be valid, or useful, to the VMs artist.
To what extent was Portugal similar to the other Spanish states in the representation of Saint Michael? To what extent was Isabella of Portugal influential in the Burgundian state?
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
Another aspect is the orientation of the wings. Do the tips point up, sideways, opposite, or down. The VMs has feathers pointed in all directions, so it's more ambiguity, but if the wings were folded or closed, there would not be feathers standing up. Therefore, the VMs wings should be considered raised. And if raised wings are required, there are significantly fewer potential candidates. The wings on the representation of Saint Michael in the church at Schwabisch Hall are fully extended. And partly red.
It's not unlike the Vms artist to combine elements from disparate sources, it's practically a modus operandi.
And after all this subtle trickery on the visual side, what's happening on the linguistic side? If the image is intended to reference Saint Michael, is the text a prayer?