Hagiografia e iconografia beneditinas : Os “Diálogos”do papa S. Gregório Magno

Resumo

The life of Saint Benedict (480-547) written by the Pope Saint Gregory the  Great  (f604)   in  the  "Book  II  of  Dialogues"  is  not  an  accurate  historical biography.  It is, above all, an exemplary narrative which, within the context of the hagiographic   literary   genre  and   in   accordance   to   the  biblical   models   and stereotypes, proposes a concrete example of Christian perfection and an incentive to sanctity. Obviously the author did not create this character and therefore mentions specific witnesses. Much to the taste of his time, the chronicle about the life of the Founder  of  western  Monasticism   is  filled  with  numerous  short  narratives,   an evidence of the author's didactic and pragmatic concern. Benedict is a "man of God, filled  with  the  spirit  of  every   righteous  man'',  and  consequently,  a  model  of perfection.  The  present analysis  of  the Hagiography  is  made in  conformity   with these parameters,  according  to  the "Book  II of  Dialogues"  and  its  iconography, particulary the  well-known  engravings  of  the  work  of  Angelo  Sangrino  (1586), which  has  inspired  so many  works  of  art,  like  the  polycromatic  gilded  carvings (1716-19) from the choir loft of the Monastery of S. Bento da Vit6ria in Oporto.