Imagines Intextae: Images Interwoven in the Text

Abstract A continuation of Ch. 4, this offers two extended examples of Paulinus’ imagistic meditations. It includes observations about the representational art of the period, its preference for abbreviated scenes, and the way in which they are linked – through biblical or parabiblical texts that are not necessarily alluded to explicitly. The passages discussed are both from Letter 23 of Paulinus: (1) links images of Christ as bridegroom and as Head of the Church – and the symbolism around his hair (deriving from the Song of Songs); (2) shows how these patterns of imagistic thought facilitate the association of Christ as man with Christ as word.