Beato de Gerona 975

Beato de Gerona is an early example of an artwork made by Ende, using ink and pigment on parchment. Immediately, the organization of the page commands our attention. Notice how the composition is divided into distinct registers, creating a visual hierarchy. The upper zone, bathed in softer hues, contrasts sharply with the lower register, dominated by earthy browns and entangled figures. Ende employs bold outlines and flat colors, eschewing naturalistic representation for symbolic expression. The figures, rendered with elongated proportions and stylized gestures, seem to float within their designated spaces. This deliberate distortion of form serves to heighten the emotional impact of the scene. The interplay between order and chaos, salvation and damnation, underscores the apocalyptic themes of the Beatus manuscripts. The symbolic structure uses simple figures and shapes to convey complex theological concepts of heaven and hell. The lack of traditional perspective flattens the pictorial space, emphasizing the symbolic nature of the scene. Ende’s use of color and form operates within a symbolic framework, inviting us to decode the spiritual significance embedded within the image, opening a window into the medieval worldview.