Understanding by "urban space" the totality of images, ideas and interpretations that existed in the midst of the European city of the early modern times, the author studies evolution of the image of Abraham under the influence of confessional processes. The data obtained from the analysis of visual sources (about 170 images) and evangelical drama of the 16th - 17th centuries are used. Three themes - the sacrifice of Isaac, the visit of three strangers to Abraham, and the expulsion of Hagar - appeared to have universal importance. They were almost equally represented in the art of the late Middle Ages, the period of the Reformation and the confessional era. However, the study of theatrical material allowed to conclude that the content of the scenes had been sufficiently rethought. Taking Abraham as the father of believers the evangelicals saw and his whole life as a manifestation of living faith - with the experience of temptations, doubts and miracles. At the same time, Lutheran authors did not limit themselves only to the spiritual dimension, striving to show the world order on two other levels - the House and the State. Despite the fact that the image of Isaac retained its strong connection with the image of Christ, Abraham lost his connection with God the Father. Also, in the 16-17th centuries fine arts the following subjects appeared - the path to Mount Moriah, the altar of thanksgiving, and Abraham's farewell to Hagar and Ismail - that also reflect the semantic shifts. The image of Melchizedek as the high priest completely disappeared from Protestantism: iconography remained strictly Catholic. Although he can be found in biblical illustrations, dramatists (with the exception of Jan Amos Comenius) didn't apply this subject. Besides, the author makes a number of observations about the scenography of evangelical performances, which turned out to be quite close to the medieval ones (Isaac was shown like Christ, the guests appeared under the guise of three angels, etc.). The only important change that several writers felt as necessary to make was the rejection to depict God on the stage. Some authors replaced His figure with angels, remaining in the world of the Middle Ages, while others left only His voice. And in this case, a completely different, almost modern, theater was being formed.

Translated title of the contributionPatriarch abraham in the urban space of the early modern times: Iconography and scene
Original languageRussian
Number of pages22
JournalIstoriya
Volume11
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020

    Research areas

  • Comenius, Hagar, ISAAC, Reformation, Rembrandt, SACRIFICE, Sarah, Theodore de Beze, confessional culture, exegesis, Théodore de Bèze, Confessional culture, Exegesis

    Scopus subject areas

  • History
  • Visual Arts and Performing Arts
  • History and Philosophy of Science
  • Sociology and Political Science

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