Poureraict du Iugement Universel Iudici Universalis Paradigma.

Title

Poureraict du Iugement Universel Iudici Universalis Paradigma.

Description

Depiction of the apocalypse of heaven and hell. After the painting by Jean Cousin the Younger (around 1522-1595). By Pierre Drevet in Paris in the late 17th century. Below the illustration a disclaimer: This paradigms a representation of views, was created by Laurentius Beyerlinck, Licentiate of Theology.

ca. 1675

Artist

Jode, de (1570-1634)

Gerard de Jode (1509–1591)Antwerp, was a cartographer, engraver and. In 1547 he was admitted to the Guild of St. Luke, and began his work as a publisher and printseller. He often printed the works of other cartographers including Gastaldi's map of the world in 1555, Jacob van Deventer's map of Brabant in 1558, Ortelius' eight sheet map of the world in 1564, and maps by Bartholomeus Musinus and Fernando Alvares Seco. His most outstanding work is a two volume atlas Speculum Orbis Terrarum published in 1578. It was aimed at competing with another atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum by Ortelius, published eight years earlier in 1570. The competing atlas had become so popular by the time he finally published his own atlas however, that his version never sold well, despite his outstanding reputation. Only about a dozen examples have survived. Gerard de Jode made plans for another enlarged edition, which was uncompleted at his death in 1591. His son Cornelis de Jode took over and published the Speculum Orbis Terrae in 1593. This never sold well . Scholars consider many of de Jode's maps to be superior to those of Ortelius, both in detail and style. In constructing his world map, HEMISPHERIUM AB AEQUINOCTIALI LINEA, AD CIRCULUM POLI ANTARCTICI, published in 1593, Gerard de Jode was strongly influenced by Guillaume Postel’s 1581 polar planisphère, Polo aptata Nova Charta Universi. Gerard de Jode was probably the maker of a globe made in Antwerp that also owes much to the cosmographic ideas of Guillaume Postel.

Historical Description

The Bible speaks in several places of an end of times, the apocalypse, in which survivors and the dead will be judged. During the last day of judgment, Christ returns to earth to administer justice. High in the center Christ, at his feet the Mereldbol. With his left hand he raises a sickle threateningly towards the unfortunate below him. Among the damned are also figures of high rank wearing crowns. With his right hand he gestures to the elect. On Christ's right is the Virgin Mary and on his left the apostle John, who pleads for the damned. The other apostles surround them. From the clouds and angels to the earthly hell below, the dead come to life. The demons and monsters are in charge there. On earth, the dead rise from their graves to be judged. Those who make it are brought to the gates of heaven by angels. They ascend through a staircase on the far left. Heaven is depicted as a palace with large walls that deny access. The damned go to hell. This hell is everywhere. Skeletons carry the dead and row away into the outer darkness. Others throw themselves from a tower, are thrown into a dungeon, wriggled, clothed or hanged. The viewer has a mirror held up to them. How have you lived your life? Will it be hell or heaven? It reminds the viewer that one day the day of judgment will come and so it is important to live well.