In the panel on the left we see the labor and sorrow of men after being expelled from the Garden of Eden. Adam labors in the field working diligently to bring in the food that will feed himself, his wife and children. While Eve labors to bring forth children while fulfilling the duties in their home. We see pain and hard labor for failing to heed the word of God. This is your punishment and we see the fear in the face upon the knocker handle. Eyes spread wide, ears alert and listening, jaws firmly shut and ready to run. We also see the angel of God who seems to bring comfort and offers hope.
In the second panel Mary and the infant Jesus are seated greeting the three kings. They have come to worship the child and offer gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We also see the star, which has lead them to the manger where he had been laid. The face of the knocker upon this door is very relaxed although he is paying rapt attention as his ears signify he is listening closely. His teeth are closed gently and you can tell he is at rest. This is a moment of pomp and circumstance our salvation is only through this child.
Each of these panels is very different and yet they speak of the same concept. If we listen and give our lives over to God we will be blessed. Each tells the story that God is a loving god and because he cares about us we are given a savior to save our immortal soul from damnation. Because we will never be good enough for God or heaven as we are humans and that means that we are born to sin and therefore damned to hell and damned to die. It speaks of the punishments that we can endure because we are descendants of Adam and Eve and they sinned so therefore we will sin in perpetuity.
I feel as if I am on a religious tirade in this case the panels are very different hard labor and pain versus being worshipped and given gifts. There are the perils of sin on one side and the blessings of those whom believe in God on the other. The strange relief of the figures gives a sort of eerie effect on the human characters in the scenes making them seem to fall toward the viewer in this picture. And that could be just the effect of the way the photo was taken. The knockers however are magnificent the faces are so realistic and yet so human and in a way they steal the show. Do you dare to enter here they seem to say. Now that you know what the penalties and blessings are will you live the life God planned for you? Well do you?
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ReplyDeleteInteresting interpretation of the door knocker handles. I've never read anyone analyze the handles as having expressions on their faces (such as fear). That's an interesting idea.
ReplyDelete-Prof. Bowen
I like that you tied something usually overlooked like the door knockers into it! I think it's fitting since it ties nicely into the punishment and rewarding/worship themes. I can see the wide-eyed shock and calm/happy expressions after you mention it. Nice insight!
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoyed learning about these doors! What I love about them is how the artist took complex scenes and arranged them in such a manner that goes way beyond the stories themselves and impacting the viewer in many ways. The artist made it where every part of this art piece had meaning and impact. The attention to detail is amazing. I agree with you in that they are so different yet speak of the same concept. Somehow the artist manages to have repetition and contrast beautifully shown in the doors.
ReplyDeleteI think the three-dimensionality of the relief figures really help to make them stand out. It's almost as if the figures could walk out of the scene. It gives them a more life-like characteristic and helps to connect the viewer to the stories that are being told. I think it's amazing that these doors were each done as one piece. This would have been a huge undertaking.
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