¿Por qué era tan RARO el DIBUJO MEDIEVAL? - Los Marginalia

About this video

• Video Title: ¿Por qué era tan RARO el DIBUJO MEDIEVAL? - Los Marginalia
• Channel: Numinosa
• Speakers: Not explicitly mentioned, but the transcript is a single monologue.
• Duration: 11:03

Overview

This video explores the "weird" and unusual drawings found in the margins of medieval manuscripts, known as marginalia. It argues that these drawings were not necessarily profound artistic statements but often served as a form of "cheat post" or meme, born from boredom, a desire for humor, and a way to cope with societal pressures and religious dogma.

Key takeaways

• Medieval drawings (marginalia) were often strange due to boredom and humor: Monks and scribes, with limited social lives and abundant free time, used marginalia as a creative outlet, similar to modern memes.
• Marginalia served as a form of commentary and escapism: These drawings expressed satire, basic humor (like fart and butt jokes), and even transgressive sexual themes, offering a release from the strictures of medieval life and religious texts.
• The content of marginalia reflected societal anxieties and desires: Drawings of rabbits tormenting demons or epic battles between knights and snails can be interpreted as ironic commentary on power structures and a way to subvert the serious, often frightening, themes prevalent in religious art and teachings.
• The concept of "ars moriendi" influenced depictions of suffering: Some imperturbable figures in marginalia might relate to the medieval idea of "dying well," where a serene death was seen as a sign of salvation, contrasting with the fear of hell depicted in church art.
• Marginalia also included practical elements like "maniculae": These hand-drawn pointers in the margins served to highlight interesting or important passages in the manuscripts, showing a functional aspect alongside the more whimsical or transgressive art.