Conclusion: The Timidity of the Visual Arts

Abstract

Descriptions of stigmata can be terse, but they often engender a strong visual image in the mind’s eye. Again and again we are led to think about shining silver coins, unyielding flesh growths, rose-coloured areas of raised flesh, flowing blood repeatedly absorbed into pieces of linen cloth. Understanding stigmata was heavily dependent on visual references. Stigmatic behaviours could call to mind harrowing sculptures of Christ crucified and were influenced by those sculptures. By contrast, many paintings and sculptures of stigmatics appear restrained. They contained little sign of the physical suffering caused by the stigmata with the connection to Christ’s agonies implied rather than explicit and the wounds minimised. The chapter explores this apparent paradox.