ABSTRACT
The author discloses those authors who comment on this type of 'viewing' or 'engagement' a Christian response to images of what we might term a 'justifiable horror' which is not based on fear alone. It suggests that we should also approach the horrific content of Italian Last Judgements. In addition, the author focuses on what we might term his 'aesthetics' of judgement, the way that an audience or spectator should relate to scenes of a tragic or terrible nature. Thus, it becomes possible to construct a framework within which to appreciate the horrific content of representations of the Last Judgement, and to understand how they were intended to function. It was the sculptural tradition that enabled a degree of narrative in which sinners were revealed and identified by means of crimes committed and/or punishments bestowed, all under the watchful eyes of a judgemental Christ.
