In class we are discussing Medieval Towns, and tonight's subject was on Guilds and Miracle Plays, and of course, I was thinking of tarot through much of the discussion. At one point the lecturer showed a French image from the mid-1400s of a play, the subject is The Martyrdom of St Apollonia, by Jean Fouquet [click to enlarge it]:
![](http://www.lib-art.com/imgpainting/1/6/10161-the-martyrdom-of-st-apollonia-jean-fouquet.jpg)
Well, of course the first thing i saw was our Fool with his pants hanging off, and then I noticed that the torturers who are pulling out Apollonia's teeth were rather interesting as well, especially since we seem to be finding an iconographic connection between the Magician and Dentists (Appolonia is patron saint of dentists, her teeth being pulled/smashed during her torture). Then I noticed the Devil next to the Fool, and what looks like angels and a hellmouth in the background reminding me of Judgement.
Isn't this a wonderful image?
I still wonder about a connection between tarot and these types of plays. And yes, I know, I need to read Moakley. But until then, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject, or at the very least, your thoughts on this image.
cheers,
robert