Art History and Research
This post continues with the portrayal of the devil in gargoyles, one of their predominant themes.
In Christian iconography, the snake is linked with the idea of evil and the devil. “Every creature that moves along the ground is to be regarded as unclean” (Lev. 11, 41-42). In the book of Genesis it’s a symbol of carnal desire and the devil. The snake appears many times in gargoyles: trapping, biting, on the end of tails or feet, etc. According to Rebold Benton, figures with snakes winding around them could be a reference to the snake coiled round the tree in the Garden of Eden.
Sometimes devils are seen with phallic snakes instead of penises. The depiction of the phallus is a trait linked to the devil and to some images of satyrs in which they are shown exposing it. This could also signify greater power and may date back to Bes, a god in ancient times, as pro-phallic portrayals have been around since the 4th century BC.
Devil with snake attacking. León Cathedral (Spain).
Bird with snake. Salamanca Cathedral (Spain).
Devil with snake or snake-like tail. Burgos Cathedral (Spain).
Many gargoyles feature gastrocephalic devils. The head in the belly can convey the idea that the centre of the brain has descended to the lower parts of the body. Mâle refers to the displacement of intelligence to serve the basest of instincts. You can also find devils with two or more faces or heads on other parts of the body (chest, back, feet). Castelli says that “two or three faces is a way of alluding to something that a consistency cannot express, if it is only what a face shows: solely the mask of a face”.
Gastrocephalic devil with snake-like appendages. Salamanca Cathedral (Spain).
Gastrocephalic devil with snake-like tail. Salamanca Cathedral (Spain).
Gastrocephalic devil. Palencia Cathedral (Spain).
Gastrocephalic devil. Bordeaux Cathedral (France).
Gastrocephalic devil. Salamanca Cathedral (Spain).
Gastrocephalic devil. Salamanca Cathedral (Spain).
Devil with head on its feet. Salamanca Cathedral (Spain).
Devil with head on its feet. Salamanca Cathedral (Spain).
Devil with head on its feet. Salamanca Cathedral (Spain).
Devil with head on its feet. Salamanca Cathedral (Spain).
Bibliography consulted
BURBANK BRIDAHAM, L., The Gargoyle Book. 572 examples from Gothic Architecture, New York, Dover Publications, Inc., 2006.
CASTELLI, E., De lo demoníaco en el arte. Su significación filosófica, Santiago de Chile, Ediciones de la Universidad de Chile, 1963.
GRIVOT, D., Le diable dans la cathedrale, Paris, Editions Morel, 1960.
LINK, L., El Diablo. Una máscara sin rostro, Madrid, Editorial Síntesis, S. A., 2002.
REBOLD BENTON, J., Holy Terrors. Gargoyles on medieval buildings, New York, Abbeville Press, 1997.
Doctora en Historia del Arte. Investigadora especializada en el estudio de las gárgolas.
Otros artículos de gárgolas interesantes:
Unsettling and Amazing Creatures. The Archetypal Gargoyles at Mirepoix
The Enchanting, Magical Imagery of the Gargoyles at the Monastery of San Martín Pinario in Santiago de Compostela
Geometric Gargoyles. Geometry as Ornamentation
The Outstandingly Magnificent Iconography of the Cathedral of Valencia Gargoyles
Surprisingly Unnerving Gargoyles. The Devils in the Lantern Tower at the Cathedral of Burgos
Gargoyles Looking out to Sea
The Gargoyles on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria I
The Devil and his Portrayal in Gargoyles IV
Gargoyles and Sculpting. The Language of Stone
The Devil and his Portrayal in Gargoyles I
