Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
bilderstreit
English translation:
iconoclastic controversy
Jan 30, 2002 07:32
22 yrs ago
German term
Bilderstreit
German to English
Art/Literary
Religion
"Ever since the Byzantine BILDERSTREIT, the public has been divided into iconoclasts and iconophiles...
Proposed translations
(English)
4 +1 | Further explanation | Kim Metzger |
5 | iconographic controversy | Isabel Cole (X) |
Proposed translations
+1
11 mins
Selected
Further explanation
Iconoclasm, literally "icon-destruction," was a theological debate involving both the Byzantine church and state. The controversy spanned roughly a century, during the years 726–87 and 815–43. In these decades, imperial legislation barred the production and use of figural images; simultaneously, the cross was promoted as the most acceptable decorative form for Byzantine churches. Archaeological evidence suggests that in certain regions of Byzantium, including Constantinople and Nicaea, existing icons were destroyed or plastered over. Very few early Byzantine icons survived the Iconoclastic period; notable exceptions are woven icons, painted icons preserved at the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai, Egypt, and the miniature icons found on Byzantine coins, including those of Justinian II (r. 685–95; 705–11).
Iconoclasm: The Source of Debate
The Iconoclastic debate centered on the appropriate use of icons in religious veneration, and the precise relationship between the sacred personage and his/her image. Fear that the viewer misdirected his/her veneration toward the image rather than to the holy person represented in the image lay at the heart of this controversy. Old Testament prohibitions against worshipping graven images (Exodus 20:4) provided one of the most important precedents for Byzantine Iconoclasm. The immediate causes for this crisis have been hotly contested by scholars. Among the many suggested causes are the rise of Islam and the emperor's desire to usurp religious authority and funds.
Icons after Iconoclasm
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Note added at 2226 days (2008-03-05 23:37:11 GMT) Post-grading
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iconoclastic controversy
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "thank you very much, extremely useful to also point to the website where i can probably gleen further necessary terms."
8 mins
iconographic controversy
This is the definition my Pons dictionary gives - it has to do with with whether image worship is permissible. In Byzantine times the iconoclasts went by "thou shalt create no graven image" and went around destroying icons - i.e. religious images.
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