Images of Divine Craftsmanship: The Portrait of Christ and the Holy Face of Alicante (Spain)

Abstract

This paper has the primary intention to offer an overview of the main acheiropoeitai images related to the portrait of Christ. Secondly, we have analysed the particular case of the Santa Faz in Alicante. In order to explore the context in which these images were created, we have also studied the strategies of legitimization of images in the Middle Ages, the most prominent acheiropoietai images and the legends that justified many
particular cases. Finally, we have explored the motifs and features that accompanied this kind of images in a Hispanic context and have carried out a more thorough study of the Alicante image by comparing the different local chronicles referring to this devotional image.