Bust of an Apocalyptic elder
Glencairn Museum
Bryn Athyn, United States
This Elder of the Apocalypse may come from the church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Couldre in the town of Parthenay, France. The Elders were described in the vision of the throne of God (Revelation 4:4): “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats; and upon the seats, four and twenty ancients sitting, clothed in white garments, and on their heads were crowns of gold.”
Sources:
- Julia Perratore, "Glencairn’s Royalty: Images of Kings and Queens in the Medieval Collection," _Glencairn Museum News_, Number 6, 2018. (See External Link.)
- Robert A. Maxwell, _The Art of Medieval Urbanism: Parthenay in Romanesque Aquitaine_, 2007, 222-223.
- Jane Hayward and Walter Cahn, _Radiance and Reflection: Medieval Art from the Raymond Pitcairn Collection_, 1982, 75-76.
- Title: Bust of an Apocalyptic elder
- Location Created: Western France, Parthenay (?)
- Physical Dimensions: Height, 49.5 cm. (19 1/2 in.); width, 43.2 cm. (17 in.); depth, 35.6 cm. (14 in.)
- External Link: https://glencairnmuseum.org/newsletter/2018/6/28/glencairns-royalty
- Medium: Limestone
- Further Information: “The limestone bust of an Apocalyptic Elder from the French town of Parthenay, possibly from the town’s grand twelfth-century church of Notre-Dame de la Couldre (c. 1150), may represent a figure from the church’s façade. The haloed, crowned king is much eroded, but it was clearly sculpted with great sensitivity and attention to detail. This figure calmly, patiently attends the throne of God, his demeanor fitting for such a sacred setting. The proximity of the Elders to the throne as described in Revelation is significant because the Elders, through their kingly appearances, suggest the close links between earthly kings and God the Father.” (Julia Perratore, "Glencairn’s Royalty: Images of Kings and Queens in the Medieval Collection," _Glencairn Museum News_, Number 6, 2018.)
- Date: Mid-12th century
- Collection: Medieval
- Accession Number: 09.SP.93
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