Recumbent effigy
Encyclopedia
Recumbent effigy literally means a "likeness lying in repose"; life-size sculpture
s of deceased individuals wearing the costume of their station and lying on their back. The effigy was usually placed on top of an empty cenotaph
tomb chest or, less commonly, a sarcophagus
which actually contained the body.
The recumbent effigy decorated Western European church monument
s of important people from the Middle Ages onwards, though this art form is known to a lesser degree in other areas of the world.
funerary art
, either in pottery
or stone; the deceased was shown alive as at a feast, lying sideways, propped up on one arm and sometimes holding a cup. Usually these were rather smaller than life-size. The Romans continued the tradition, though also using many other types of effigy. Faces are often clearly portraits.
The first medieval effigies emerged in the 12th century, executed in low relief, horizontal but as in life. The faces are largely generalized rather than portraits. Gradually these became full high-relief effigies
, usually recumbent, as in death, and, by the 14th century, with hands together in prayer. In general, such monumental effigies were carved in stone, marble or wood, or cast in bronze or brass. Often the stone effigies were painted to resemble life, but on the vast majority of medieval monuments, this has long since disappeared. The crossed-legged attitude of numerous mail-armoured knight
s was long supposed to imply that the deceased had served in the Crusades, but this supposition is unfounded. By the early 13th century, the effigies became raised on tomb-style chests (known as tomb chests or altar tombs) decorated with foliage, heraldry
or architectural
detailing. Soon such chests also stood alone with varying degrees of decorations. By the end of the century, these often had architectural canopies
and figured 'weepers' or 'mourners' (often friends or relatives identified by their coats of arms
) were popular decorative features.
Another late medieval fashion was to show the person at death or even in an advanced state of decomposition
, perhaps as a secondary effigy. During the Renaissance
, other non-recumbent types of effigy became more popular. Variations showed the deceased lying on their side as if reading, kneeling in prayer and even standing. The recumbent effigy only returned to favour during the Gothic revival
of the 19th century. Some of the greatest examples of the recumbent effigy in Westminster Abbey
in London
, Saint Peter's in Rome, Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Venice (twenty-five Doge
s), and the Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence.
opened in Nanjing
, China
. The body of Dr. Sun Yat-sen
(1866–1925), considered the "Father of Modern China", is interred beneath a sarcophagus
of white marble with a sculpted effigy of Dr. Sun on top, supine and dressed in conservative modern Chinese attire. The park and mausoleum were designed by Chinese architect Lu Yanzhi, though the recumbent effigy was carved by a Czech sculptor, whose name is rendered in various sources as either Gorge or Gorch.
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
s of deceased individuals wearing the costume of their station and lying on their back. The effigy was usually placed on top of an empty cenotaph
Cenotaph
A cenotaph is an "empty tomb" or a monument erected in honour of a person or group of people whose remains are elsewhere. It can also be the initial tomb for a person who has since been interred elsewhere. The word derives from the Greek κενοτάφιον = kenotaphion...
tomb chest or, less commonly, a sarcophagus
Sarcophagus
A sarcophagus is a funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved or cut from stone. The word "sarcophagus" comes from the Greek σαρξ sarx meaning "flesh", and φαγειν phagein meaning "to eat", hence sarkophagus means "flesh-eating"; from the phrase lithos sarkophagos...
which actually contained the body.
The recumbent effigy decorated Western European church monument
Church monument
A church monument is an architectural or sculptural memorial to a dead person or persons, located within a Christian church. It can take various forms, from a simple wall tablet to a large and elaborate structure which may include an effigy of the deceased person and other figures of familial or...
s of important people from the Middle Ages onwards, though this art form is known to a lesser degree in other areas of the world.
History
Recumbent effigies were common in EtruscanEtruscan art
Etruscan art was the form of figurative art produced by the Etruscan civilization in central Italy between the 9th and 2nd centuries BC. Particularly strong in this tradition were figurative sculpture in terracotta and cast bronze, wall-painting and metalworking .-History:The origins of...
funerary art
Funerary art
Funerary art is any work of art forming, or placed in, a repository for the remains of the dead. Tomb is a general term for the repository, while grave goods are objects—other than the primary human remains—which have been placed inside...
, either in pottery
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
or stone; the deceased was shown alive as at a feast, lying sideways, propped up on one arm and sometimes holding a cup. Usually these were rather smaller than life-size. The Romans continued the tradition, though also using many other types of effigy. Faces are often clearly portraits.
The first medieval effigies emerged in the 12th century, executed in low relief, horizontal but as in life. The faces are largely generalized rather than portraits. Gradually these became full high-relief effigies
Effigy
An effigy is a representation of a person, especially in the form of sculpture or some other three-dimensional form.The term is usually associated with full-length figures of a deceased person depicted in stone or wood on church monuments. These most often lie supine with hands together in prayer,...
, usually recumbent, as in death, and, by the 14th century, with hands together in prayer. In general, such monumental effigies were carved in stone, marble or wood, or cast in bronze or brass. Often the stone effigies were painted to resemble life, but on the vast majority of medieval monuments, this has long since disappeared. The crossed-legged attitude of numerous mail-armoured knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
s was long supposed to imply that the deceased had served in the Crusades, but this supposition is unfounded. By the early 13th century, the effigies became raised on tomb-style chests (known as tomb chests or altar tombs) decorated with foliage, heraldry
Heraldry
Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...
or architectural
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
detailing. Soon such chests also stood alone with varying degrees of decorations. By the end of the century, these often had architectural canopies
Canopy (building)
A canopy is an overhead roof or else a structure over which a fabric or metal covering is attached, able to provide shade or shelter. A canopy can also be a tent, generally without a floor....
and figured 'weepers' or 'mourners' (often friends or relatives identified by their coats of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
) were popular decorative features.
Another late medieval fashion was to show the person at death or even in an advanced state of decomposition
Cadaver tomb
A cadaver tomb or transi is a church monument or tomb featuring an effigy in the macabre form of a decomposing corpse. The topos was particularly characteristic of the later Middle Ages....
, perhaps as a secondary effigy. During the Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
, other non-recumbent types of effigy became more popular. Variations showed the deceased lying on their side as if reading, kneeling in prayer and even standing. The recumbent effigy only returned to favour during the Gothic revival
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
of the 19th century. Some of the greatest examples of the recumbent effigy in Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Saint Peter's in Rome, Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Venice (twenty-five Doge
Doge
Doge is a dialectal Italian word that descends from the Latin dux , meaning "leader", especially in a military context. The wife of a Doge is styled a Dogaressa....
s), and the Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence.
China
In 1929, the mausoleum of Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum is situated at the foot of the second peak of Mount Zijin in Nanjing, China. Construction of the tomb started in January 1926 and was finished in spring of 1929. The architect was Lu Yanzhi, who died shortly after it was finished.- History :Dr...
opened in Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. The body of Dr. Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the "Father of the Nation" , a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China...
(1866–1925), considered the "Father of Modern China", is interred beneath a sarcophagus
Sarcophagus
A sarcophagus is a funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved or cut from stone. The word "sarcophagus" comes from the Greek σαρξ sarx meaning "flesh", and φαγειν phagein meaning "to eat", hence sarkophagus means "flesh-eating"; from the phrase lithos sarkophagos...
of white marble with a sculpted effigy of Dr. Sun on top, supine and dressed in conservative modern Chinese attire. The park and mausoleum were designed by Chinese architect Lu Yanzhi, though the recumbent effigy was carved by a Czech sculptor, whose name is rendered in various sources as either Gorge or Gorch.
See also
- The Tomb of Antipope John XXIIITomb of Antipope John XXIIIThe Tomb of Antipope John XXIII is the marble and bronze tomb monument of Antipope John XXIII , created by Donatello and Michelozzo for the Florence Baptistry adjacent to the Duomo...
in FlorenceFlorenceFlorence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
is a very grand Early Renaissance wall tomb by DonatelloDonatelloDonato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi , also known as Donatello, was an early Renaissance Italian artist and sculptor from Florence...
and MichelozzoMichelozzothumb|250px|[[Palazzo Medici]] in Florence.Michelozzo di Bartolomeo Michelozzi was an Italian architect and sculptor.-Biography:...
. - Funerary artFunerary artFunerary art is any work of art forming, or placed in, a repository for the remains of the dead. Tomb is a general term for the repository, while grave goods are objects—other than the primary human remains—which have been placed inside...
- Handbook for identification and repair