Quod manus explicuit.
—Paulin., De Felice Natal. Carm., ix, vv, 541, et seq.
Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem
Quam quæ sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus.
—Hor., de Arte Poeticâ.
Mens hebes ad verum per materialia surgit
Et, demersa prius, hac visa luce resurgit.
—On doorway of St. Denis, Paris.
During the Middle Ages much religious truth was doubtless conveyed by these storied basilicas or “gospels in stone.” Of St. Mark’s, Venice, Dr. Guthrie says, “It is not more remarkable for its oriental splendour than for the flood of gospel truth set forth to all eyes in the mosaics that cover and adorn its domes and walls.... Here the grand central, saving doctrine, the glory of Paul and hope of sinners, ‘Jesus Christ, and him crucified,’ is exhibited with wonderful fulness and fidelity.” In A. D. 483, Pope Sixtus dedicated to the people of God—plebi Dei—the mosaics of S. Maria Maggiore at Rome, executed for their instruction.
[351] Placuit picturas in ecclesia esse non debere, ne quod colitur aut adoratur in parietibus depingatur.—Concil. Eliber., A. D. 305, c. 36.
[352] Τοῦτον δὲ τὸν ἀνδριάντα εἰκόνα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ φέρειν ἔλεγον.—Hist. Eccles., vii, 18.