The Blind Priest
Image displayed with permission of British Library
The Blind Priest
- This painting (also called an illumination) appears in a manuscript taken from King Tewodros's royal library in Magdala, Southern Ethiopia, and dated to 1600-1699. You can view this painting in the manuscript British Library, "Orient" Collection, Manuscript No. 520, f. 188r, or learn more about this manuscript at its PEMM Manuscript page. You can also read the related story at its PEMM Story page.
- Many Geʿez manuscript paintings are in "Synoptic Narrative Art” style; that is, a single painting depicts multiple moments in the story, providing a series of vignettes representing different plot points. PEMM calls these "episodes". This painting of PEMM Story ID 43 has 2 episodes. The painting's episode descriptions, locations, and keywords are:
- 1. The priest Yoḥannǝs is depicted standing praying before the icon of the Virgin and Child (left). The object(s) are church; icon; throne. The living being(s) are Mary; Jesus Christ; priest.
- 2. St Mary is taking out a breast and dropping her milk into the eyes of Yoḥannǝs (right). The object(s) are church; breast milk. The living being(s) are Mary; priest.
- The number of PEMM manuscripts that have paintings of this story is 34. The total number of paintings of this story in PEMM manuscripts is 43.
- PEMM's ID number for this painting is 1104.
- To reproduce this image online or in print, please contact the British Library. PEMM does not own the rights.
- If you think any of the information on this page is incorrect (e.g., the location, date, description, captions), please use our PEMM Feedback Form to let us know. We depend on users like you to improve the site.
