Satana in forma della Madonna. Serafino Razzi and the Dominican Observant Reform in Kotor

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the meaning of the hagiographic and iconographic subject Madonna finta within Dominican theological learning and religious practice, through a comparative analysis of word and image in the hagiography of Peter Martyr and female living saints from the 16th century: Caterina de’Ricci and Osanna from Kotor, based on the principles of a reformed Dominican order present in the hagiographic literary opus of Serafino Razzi. The framework for considering the use of the iconography of the Madonna and Child to present the apparition of Satan are two essential Dominican theological concepts: to stress the power of the host and the doctrine of transubstantiation as a real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and to fight to eradicate the heresy. Serafino Razzi’s mission to spread the observant reform in Dubrovnik and Kotor is a key to understanding many layers of the vita di Osanna including the appearance of Falsa Madonna.