The cameo at the center of the lothar cross is an example of what kind of image?
A. A cult image
B. A typological portrait
C. An icon
D. A secondary relic
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. An icon.
The cameo at the center of the Lothar Cross is an example of an icon. In art history, an icon refers to a religious image or representation, often associated with Christian devotional objects, that conveys a spiritual or sacred message. These icons are typically seen as windows into the divine, serving as representations of saints, Christ, or the Virgin Mary, and are meant to evoke a sense of reverence and connection to the divine. In the case of the Lothar Cross, the cameo is a type of portrait image intended to represent the divine or a sacred figure, particularly as it was used in the context of religious ritual.
The Lothar Cross, a notable piece of Carolingian art from the 9th century, was created as a relic of significant religious importance. The cross itself is decorated with a cameo that likely portrays a sacred figure or event, reinforcing its role as a devotional object. The cameo in the center of the cross would have been viewed by the faithful as an image imbued with spiritual significance, aligning with the broader concept of icons, which were central to religious practice during this period. The placement of the cameo within the cross would reinforce the sanctity and religious devotion that the cross symbolized.
Why the other options are not correct:
- A. A cult image: While cult images are religious objects used in worship, an icon specifically refers to a sacred representation, usually a portrait or image of a saint or divine figure. The term “cult image” implies more the physical presence or veneration of the object itself, which is broader than an icon.
- B. A typological portrait: Typological portraits refer to representations that connect figures or events from the Old Testament with those from the New Testament, often through symbolic parallels. The cameo on the Lothar Cross does not serve this symbolic or typological function.
- D. A secondary relic: A secondary relic refers to an item that has been in direct contact with a primary relic (like a saint’s body or clothing). The cameo, in contrast, is a religious representation rather than a physical object that has touched a saint’s remains.
Thus, the cameo at the center of the Lothar Cross is best described as an icon due to its religious significance and its role in representing a sacred figure or event.