Typology in Art

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Course Textbook: Scripture.

Each week, the participant will study a Scripture passage, written commentary from the Fathers on that Scripture and visual commentary from a great artist on that Scripture passage. The course will help the participant understand the interplay between Scripture and Tradition that the Catholic artists of the medieval and Renaissance eras were attempting to visually portray in their work.

A free electronic copy of the KJV with Strong's concordance can be downloaded here. Strong's concordance is often useful in knowing the meaning of place names and given names, which is an important part of typological interpretation. The Catholic edition of Scripture is required however, so please download one of the Catholic translations available on that site as well, such as the Douay-Rheims.

Week 1 - The Trinity

  • Scripture: Genesis 18:1-8
  • Fathers' commentary: Epistle of Barnabas, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus
  • Masterpiece: Andre Rublev's Icon of the Trinity

Week 2 – Creation

  • Scripture: Genesis 1 and 2
  • Fathers' commentary: Theophylact of Antioch
  • Masterpiece: Michelangelo's Creation of Adam

Week 3 – The Fall

  • Scripture: Genesis 3
  • Fathers' commentary: Augustine, Ireneaus, Justin Martyr, Theophylact of Antioch
  • Masterpiece: Michelangelo's The Fall of Adam and Eve

Week 4 – The Old Testament

  • Scripture: Psalm 78
  • Fathers' commentary: Augustine
  • Masterpiece: 13th century Coptic Icon of Moses