The Devil and its multiple images in illuminations of the Devorous Monster and the Falling Angel (15th century): some examples

Abstract

This article conducted an analysis on the multiple images of the Devil, based on three illuminations of the 15th century. It is possible to observe the following elements: 1-the evil one as a head, with a huge open mouth, known as the Hellmouth; 2-as a human being, but with animalistic characteristics, carrying claws, the tail, among other things, still with devouring aspect; 3-represented in beautiful shape, as the rebel angel, Lucifer, expelled from heaven by God. Three images were analyzed; one from the narrative Vision of Tondal, which it is represented as the Beast Acheron, in the form of Hellmouth, and two images of the book Les Très Riches Heures of the Duc de Berry (The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of Berry), when figured with animalistic features in the image entitled "Inferno" (fl.108r) and with his angelic features in "The fall of the Rebel Angels" (fl. 64v). In the last two illuminations the Devil presents ruler of Hell elements. Moreover, it is clear that this has ambiguous features in Christian imagination.

Keywords

• Devil. Images. Les Très Riches Heures of the Duc de Berry. Vision of Tondal. Multiplicity