Bible concepts (OT)

Missing concepts
#1

Hello,
I am reaching out with a question regarding gaps in the Iconclass vocabulary that we have encountered in our current project, The Wenceslas Bible – Digital Edition and Analysis. This collaborative initiative between the Department of German Studies at the University of Salzburg and the Austrian National Library (version 6.0.0, 2024-11-06, URL: Wenzelsbibel Digital) employs Iconclass for the classification of the manuscript’s miniatures and marginalia wherever feasible.

Given the Wenceslas Bible’s extraordinary density of imagery and narrative depth, we have identified a significant number of instances (currently 45) where the existing Iconclass vocabulary lacks precise or suitable descriptors. These gaps often correspond to specific Bible passages for which no relevant terms are available, resulting in substantial challenges for accurate classification.

To illustrate, in the Book of Leviticus (Old Testament), the available labels are extremely limited. On fol. 99rb (Cod. 2759), the Wenceslas Bible features a miniature depicting a Burnt Offering, which we have preliminarily described as follows:

In the upper register, Israelite priests present a burnt offering. A fire burns on the altar, into which pieces of butchered meat are being placed. Additionally, the priests pour sacrificial blood over the altar steps. In the lower register, three figures butcher and dismember a slaughtered animal, which has been placed in a trough on a table.

This miniature corresponds to Leviticus 1:5-13, yet the Iconclass vocabulary begins only at Leviticus 8, leaving us without an appropriate term for this depiction. This issue extends to the other identified cases, where gaps between existing classifications hinder precise description and searchability.

One potential workaround would be to employ broader, overarching labels that, while less specific, might at least reference the relevant book section or offer a general classification, such as “71E13 Exodus (part III) […].” However, our aim is to achieve as much precision as possible and ensure effective searchability of the miniatures via Iconclass labels.

Would you have any recommendations for addressing such gaps? If helpful, I can provide a detailed list of the missing or desired labels we have identified so far.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
Julia

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#2

Dear Julia,

the sound you may hear in the distance is that of champagne corks flying around the Iconclass office (as if that actually exists… ;-)). The decision to use the system for the Wenceslas Bible yet again demonstrates the viability of Henri van de Waal’s ideas about the standardization of iconographic metadata. He once wrote "the best tools are forged by those who have become conscious of their failing’, so the fact that you have found omissions is a compliment.

Finding illustrations for Leviticus chapters 1 to 7 would at first sight present us with some technical problems. Usually “new” biblical subjects can be accommodated at or near the end of a branch of the hierarchy.
In the case of your example (and there may be more for Leviticus 1 to 7), it seems we should try to fit the new concept between

  • 71E2 the book Leviticus
    and
  • 71E21 Aaron and his four sons are ordained by Moses (Leviticus 8)

and it is easy to see why there is no room in the notation structure. 71E21 is the first “child” of 71E2, and 0 (zero) is a special character used for “allegorical and symbolic” variants of a concept.

Also: 71E21, 71E22 etcetera, have already been used in different databases, so shifting the numbering downwards would force other users to correct their databases. Unfortunately most of those databases are locally maintained and do not make use of Linked Open Data technology, even though that is available on the Iconclass side. So it would require actual, manual editing of those database to remain compliant.

A possible, fairly easy solution could be found in the section above 71E2, i.e. here:
71E1 the book Exodus: story of Moses and Aaron

This section has only three “children”:

  • 71E11 · Exodus (part I): events preceding and preparing the exit of Israel from Egypt
  • 71E12 · Exodus (part II): journey of Israel to Mount Sinai
  • 71E13 · Exodus (part III): conclusion of the Sinaitic law and its renewal

What we could do is slightly change the definition of
71E1 the book Exodus: story of Moses and Aaron

by adding, for example: “and Leviticus chapter 1 - 7”

and then use 71E14 (and if needed, 71E15 to 71E18) for all subject matter that you have found for the first 7 chapters of Leviticus.

Perhaps, to be on the safe side, we could even decide to not start with 71E14 for Leviticus material, but reserve 71E14 and 71E15 for possible new material from Exodus.

A list of “gaps” would be wonderful to have. Should you want to discuss your list “live” in more detail, do get in touch. You could use the “guided tour” form to schedule a video call.

Hans