MEDIEVAL IMAGES OF SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX - GL23.jpg

Category Glass
Origin: artist/workshop Cologne workshop
Date 16C/1
Reference No
Size 119x76
Provenance Altenberg Cistercian Abbey, cloister
Present Location war loss 1939/45
Bibliography VP2:1:5 (PL185:271-2); Paffrath 1984, 105-7

Eckert 1953, 81
Illustration From Paffrath 1984, ill 26
Other illustrations Eckert 1953, pl 20

Country Germany
Description:
1505/32. The scene of the meeting of the pope and Bernard with King Lothar in Liege in 1131. On the right Lothar wearing his crown and with his left hand on his sword and carrying an orb in his right hand proclaims (by way of the scroll): 'Investituras Episcoporum mihi restitui volo!' (I demand that the right of appointing bishops be given back to me). Facing him on the left is Bernard, his crozier leaning against his left shoulder thus freeing his hands to give greater effect to his reply: 'Si hoc vis - scelus est, quod facere vis - caecitate tentas Sponsam Agni suis dotibus, [bibestatilus spoliare?]'. (By blindness you tempt the Spouse of the Lamd [the Church] to take away what is her inheritance. What you want to do is a crime). Strikingly, the pope stands behind Bernard, thus appointed his spokesman. The location is indicated by the inscription 'leodium' (Liege) on the wall of a tower that can be seen through a doorway in the background.