03 works, Today, October 2nd, is Saint Theophilus' day, his story illustrated #274

Friedrich August Moritz Retzsch

Faust and Mephisto playing chess

Oil on canvas

29 x 34 cm

I have no further description, at this time

This story is significant as it is the oldest story of a pact with the devil and was an inspiration for the Faust legend. 

Friedrich August Moritz Retzsch (December 9, 1779 - June 11, 1857) was a German painter, draughtsman, and etcher.

Born in the Saxon capital Dresden. he joined the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts in 1798 under Cajetan Toscani and Józef Grassi, later working autodidactically, copying the famous pictures of the Gemäldegalerie, among them a copy of the Sixtinian Madonna. He was made a member of the Academy in 1817 and professor in 1824. The Cotta publishing house commissioned illustrations for Johann Wolfgang Goethe's Faust (26 plates), which made him financially independent. Goethe liked his work, and he illustrated works by other famous authors. He also did oil paintings on classical subjects, and portraits. 

As a winemaker, he was a member of the Saxon wine association from 1799 onwards. Retzsch died in Oberlössnitz/Radebeul. More on Friedrich August Moritz Retzsch

Saint Theophilus the Penitent or Theophilus of Adana (died c. 538 AD) was a cleric in the sixth century Church who is said to have made a deal with the Devil to gain an ecclesiastical position.

Theophilus was the archdeacon of Adana, Cilicia, which is part of modern Turkey. He was unanimously elected to be a bishop, and when out of humility he turned the position down, another man was elected in his stead. 

Unknown artist

Theophilus goes to the necromancer: pays homage to the Devil

PSAUTIER D’INGEBURGE DE DANEMARK (INGEBORG PSALTER)

 Graz: Academic printing and Publishing house, 1985

I have no further description, at this time

When the new bishop, based on malicious and unfounded rumors, unjustly deprived Theophilus of his position as archdeacon, Theophilus regretted his previous stance and sought out a necromancer, who helped him contact Satan. In exchange for his aid, Satan demanded that Theophilus renounce Christ and the Virgin Mary in a contract signed with his own blood. Theophilus complied, and the devil gave him the position as bishop.

Virgin takes back contract, hellmouth; Return of contract

Unknown artist

Theophilus Prays to the Virgin

The Virgin concults with Christ

The Virgin retrieves the contract from the Devil

The Virgin returns the contract to Theophilus

PSAUTIER D’INGEBURGE DE DANEMARK (INGEBORG PSALTER)

 Graz: Academic printing and Publishing house, 1985

I have no further description, at this time

Later, fearful for his soul, Theophilus repented and prayed to the Virgin for forgiveness. After forty days of fasting, the Virgin appeared to him and verbally chastised him. Theophilus begged forgiveness and Mary promised to intercede with God. He then fasted a further thirty days, after which Mary appeared to him again, granted him absolution. However, Satan was unwilling to relinquish his hold over Theophilus, and three days later, Theophilus awoke to find the damning contract on his chest. He then took the contract to the legitimate bishop and confessed all that he had done. The bishop burned the document, and Theophilus died out of sheer joy to be free from the burden of his contract. More on Saint Theophilus

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