The Technology of Salvation and the Art of Geertgen Tot Sint Jans

Dutch Christians during the 15th century understood salvation as a rule-oriented process in which specific actions produced predictable results, says Decker (art history, Georgia State U.-Atlanta). He explores how these mechanics of salvation were visualized, focusing on the work of painter Geertgen (c.1460/65-1495/1517) when he served as lay brother and painter for the Knights of St. John Hospitaller in Haarlem. He explains that the paintings were predominately devotional in character, and so provide an index of the spiritual and devotional practices in Haarlem and throughout the Low Countries during the period. His perspectives include engendering contrition and perfecting the soul, grace to the humble, and taming the wilderness. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

John R. Decker is an Art Historian at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to Northern art and architecture, his research interests also include: scholastic theology, monasticism, lay piety, lay spiritual movements, and the role of images and objects in devotional theory and practice.