Cannibal of Qemer
Image displayed with permission of British Library
Cannibal of Qemer
- 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. 639, f. 159r, 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 125 has 3 episodes. The painting's episode descriptions, locations, and keywords are:
- 1. The demons holding the cannibal's soul among the flames of hell before Jesus Christ sitting on a throne (top-left). The object(s) are throne; hell; hellfire. The living being(s) are demon; angel of darkness; soul; Jesus Christ.
- 2. St Mary, who holds the soul of the cannibal, standing before Jesus Christ (bottom-right). The living being(s) are Mary; Jesus Christ; soul.
- 3. Two angels weighing the cannibal's good and bad deeds in a scale (bottom-left). The object(s) are weighing scales; water. The living being(s) are angel; soul.
- The number of PEMM manuscripts that have paintings of this story is 46. The total number of paintings of this story in PEMM manuscripts is 94.
- PEMM's ID number for this painting is 1559.
- 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.
