Vèronique, or the redemption through images (the value and significance of figurative works of art in the architecture of churches)

Abstract

The present article studies the issue of sacred images in the architecture of churches. We pretend to present an architectural point of view on the matter, so as to better understand the role that images play in the ontology of architecture itself and specifically, the role of images in the ontology of churches as an architectonical theme. By doing so we hope to contribute to the discussion between architects and liturgists (and/or users of such spaces) on the function of sacred images – unnecessary to the former, indispensable to the latter. The article begins by approaching the controversy of contemporary churches (the majority of the cases mentioned are found in Italy), as a way of exploring the identity of Architecture and the identity of a church as architecture. We will then consider the specific architectonic role of images in churches. Finally, we will analyse three types of case-studies (regarding their architectonical value): churches with no windows nor images, churches with windows and no images, and churches with images and no windows.