Dark Levitas
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Nonc Hilaire
- Posts: 122
- Joined: 29 Sep 2024 17:05
Re: Dark Levitas
This image is a satirical engraving from 1555, believed to originate from Germany, and is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands. The scene depicts a nun attempting to bribe a housecat with a fish in exchange for an exaggerated, erect penis that the cat is carrying in its mouth. In the background, a jester (or fool) appears to be observing the scene, possibly holding a pair of male underpants or a mask, adding another layer of visual innuendo and mockery.
The text at the bottom, “Flaisch macht Flaisch,” is an old German proverb. It translates roughly to “meat gives meat,” with an extended version, “Fleisch macht Fleisch, Fisch macht nisch,” meaning “meat gives meat, fish gives nothing.” This proverb traditionally implied that eating meat is more nourishing than fish.
Symbolism and Interpretation
Sexual Satire and Protestant Critique:
The engraving is a humorous and raunchy satire, likely created as Protestant propaganda during the Reformation. At that time, Protestants criticized Catholic celibacy, arguing it led to hypocrisy and unnatural suppression of sexual desire. The nun, a symbol of Catholic celibacy, is depicted as desperate to obtain the penis (representing carnal desire or sexual fulfillment) and tries to trade the fish (a symbol of abstinence and Catholic dietary restrictions) for it.
Carnal Desire and Wordplay:
The word “Fleisch” in German not only means “meat” but is also associated with “Fleischeslust,” meaning “desires of the flesh” or carnal lust. The fish, meanwhile, references Catholic practices of eating fish instead of meat on Fridays, symbolizing abstinence. Thus, the nun’s attempt to trade fish for “meat” is a metaphor for trading abstinence for sexual gratification.
Additional Symbolism:
• The Cat: In medieval and early modern iconography, cats were sometimes associated with heresy, the devil, and witchcraft. The cat here may symbolize temptation or devilry, further emphasizing the nun’s moral fall.
• The Jester: The fool or jester in the background is a common symbol for mockery or folly, possibly reinforcing the satirical tone and highlighting the perceived foolishness or hypocrisy of Catholic celibacy.
• Rosary Detail: Observers have noted that the nun’s rosary appears to feature a phallus instead of a cross, further mocking her supposed piety and underscoring the sexual satire.
Historical Context
The engraving was produced during the height of the Reformation, a period marked by religious and political upheaval in Europe. Protestant reformers frequently used satire and caricature to criticize Catholic practices, especially clerical celibacy, which they argued led to unnatural and hypocritical behavior. This image is a vivid example of such propaganda, using humor, innuendo, and visual metaphor to lampoon Catholic nuns as secretly obsessed with sex despite their vows.