The Artistic Character of the Spirit in the Beatus Tradition

Abstract

Abstract This article examines the visual interpretations of the Spirit in the Beatus illuminated manuscripts. This study will follow methods emerging in the discipline of visual criticism where visual art of biblical texts function like commentaries by offering visual interpretations. This study will investigate the visual interpretations of “John being in the Spirit” (Rev 1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10) and the seven Spirits who are identified as the seven torches, the seven eyes, and the seven horns of the Lamb (Rev 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6) in the Beatus illuminated manuscripts.