The Decameron and The Last Communion of St. Jerome

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Botticelli, The Last Communion of St. Jerome, 1494

“Practically all of them from the highest to the lowest were flagrantly given to the sin of lust, not only of the natural variety, but also of the sodomitic, without the slightest display of remorse… In addition to this, he clearly saw that they were all gluttons, winebibbers, and drunkards without exception” - Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron 

In one of the very first tales of The Decameron, Boccaccio puts forth social commentary pertaining to the spread of Catholicism, veiled by humor and irony. “First Day, Second Story” begins with Jehannot de Chevigny working to convert his close friend Abraham from Judaism to Christianity. Abraham refuses to abandon his upbringing and faith, but he puts an end to his comrade’s ceaseless insisting by traveling from Paris to Rome to “observe the behaviour of the Pope, the cardinals, the other Church dignitaries, and all of the courtiers” (39).

Being familiar with the conduct of Catholic figures in Rome, Jehannot understands that Abraham will not only return to Paris a Jewish man, but will be more secure than ever in his choice of faith. As the passage describes, Abraham witnesses behavior unthinkable to a man of his morality. Upon returning home, he recounts his experiences to Jehannot and, remarkably, announces his conversion. He states that if a religion so depraved can spread the way that Christianity has, it must have God’s blessing.

Botticelli portrays an entirely contrasting clergy in The Last Communion of St. Jerome. He depicts the image that people most associate with Catholic dignitaries of the time -- spiritual, well-behaved Disciples of Christ. He presents us with robed men tending diligently to the ill and aged.

The disparity between these works begs the question of which representation accurately captures Catholic clergymen. Does Botticelli illustrate the idyllic and Boccaccio the actual? Does either of them have adequate exposure to know for themselves whether these figures practice piousness or debauchery? Regardless, the contrast provokes thought concerning religion today, and whether we should regard religious figures as blessed links between Heaven and Earth, or simply as flawed, imperfect, and human.


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