3-039-531 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Pagan and Christian Scholars Debating before King Avenir and Josaphat, 1469. Additional Info:Wearing a a sorcerer's hat and spectacles, the chief pagan orator of King Avenir's court argues before Christian scholars. A banner surmounted by a small horned devil appears directly above the man's head. The king, positioned on a throne to the right, is a champion of the pagans. Josaphat, for his part, sits deferentially at his father feet but faces those on the left who are arguing the Christian cause. To prevent any confusion about his true loyalty, the young prince holds up a processional cross in his right hand. King Avenir, hoping to return his son to the idolatrous fold, called for a debate between scholars from the two opposing faiths, agreeing with his son that they would both follow the religion that proved victorious in the debate. Although the debate was rigged to favor the pagans, the Christians triumphed in the end. King Avenir kept his promise and was baptized. Illustration from "Barlaam und Josaphat", a romance in verse, by Rudolf von Ems. Follower of Hans Schilling from the Workshop of Diebold Lauber.