Category:Thomas--fiction (subject)

• BACK TO THE SUBJECTS IN THE ARTS--INDEX

Survey of fictional works on Thomas.

Overview

Although the figure of Thomas has become legendary as that of the skeptical,doubting Thomas, it has not generated wide interest in fiction. There are indeed many works of art depicting Thomas in the act of touching Jesus' wounds or suffering martyrdom, including some masterpieces such as the Incredulity of St. Thomas (1483 Verrocchio), art, the Incredulity of St. Thomas (1602 Caravaggio), art, and the Martyrdom of St. Thomas (1639 Rubens), art. As one of the Twelve, Thomas is regularly cast in novels and films on the life of Jesus. However, as a character Thomas has failed to gain a life of his own besides the traditional image of the Doubter. The only exceptions are given by The Legend of Thomas Didymus (1881 Clarke), novel and Gli amici di Gesù (2001 Mertes), film. Too little to make Thomas a major character in Second Temple Fiction.

Gabriele Boccaccini, University of Michigan