The Trial of the Soul. Post-Byzantine Visual Representations of the Tollbooths in the Romanian Churches in Maramureş

Post-Byzantine iconography of the Last Judgment in Maramureş wooden churches reveals unique visual representations of tollbooths, distinct from other Carpathian Rus’ traditions. Unlike typical depictions where demons hold scrolls with sin names, Maramureş artists introduced a 'dialogue' between angels and demons presenting narrative descriptions of the deceased's deeds, reducing ordeals to as few as three. This innovation reflects both religious mentalities—highlighting gradations of sins, good deeds, and repentance—and social dynamics, including local parishioner conflicts. The study, analyzing 17th–18th century paintings, demonstrates how these cultural artifacts offer insights into rural Romanian communities' spiritual and societal structures.

Betea, R. (2011). The Trial of the Soul. Post-Byzantine Visual Representations of the Tollbooths in the Romanian Churches in Maramureş (K. Bernhardt, R. Born, A. Kempe, & A. Puth, Eds.). Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. https://doi.org/10.18452/7523